Funny how that on the day BMW took the wraps of its M3 DTM Concept, Audi also decided to issue some preliminary details about its 2012 DTM challenger. Very coincidental, indeed…
But it’s not as if Audi even has a car to show yet, because the new A5-based racer won’t have its public debut until September’s Frankfurt International Motor Show. So, all there is to look at for the time being are a few ‘concept study’ sketches.
The A5 DTM, which has an internal codename of ‘R17’, replaces the four-door A4 that Audi currently uses in the championship. And like other DTM competitors, it won’t have much in common with its road-going equivalent.
Its bodyshell, for example, will be built from carbon fibre with a hefty steel safety cage. Revised regulations for next season mean that driver safety standards are to be improved further, especially in the areas of side impact protection and fire suppression systems. Other changes include fewer permitted aerodynamic components on the car, although the rear wing will actually be larger.
One element that is going to be carried over from the A4 DTM is the powertrain, which comprises a V8 engine producing around 450 bhp (340 kW / 460 PS) and a six-speed gearbox.
Related post:
BMW M3 DTM Concept
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Showing posts with label Motorsport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Motorsport. Show all posts
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
BMW M3 DTM Concept
Ahead of a keenly anticipated return to the DTM in 2012, BMW has unveiled its M3 DTM Concept Car.
During a launch event held at the BMW Welt facility in Munich, it was announced that three teams - BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW Team RBM and BMW Team RMG - will be campaigning the cars next season.
Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus were also confirmed as the first two drivers, although it has yet to be decided which teams they’ll be allocated to.
Three-time World Touring Car Champion Priaulx said, “The DTM will be a big challenge for us all. Together with BMW, I have celebrated success in many different disciplines and behind the wheel of some fantastic racing cars in recent years. I am more than confident that this will also be the case in the DTM. The BMW M3 DTM looks fantastic. I can hardly wait to get to know the car better in the coming tests, to contribute to its development, and ultimately to sit in the cockpit for the first DTM race in 2012.”
Powered by a V8 engine producing around 473 bhp (353 kW / 480 PS), the M3 DTM should be able to accelerate from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in about three seconds, before going on to a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h).
Related post:
Audi A5 DTM renderings
During a launch event held at the BMW Welt facility in Munich, it was announced that three teams - BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW Team RBM and BMW Team RMG - will be campaigning the cars next season.
Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus were also confirmed as the first two drivers, although it has yet to be decided which teams they’ll be allocated to.
Three-time World Touring Car Champion Priaulx said, “The DTM will be a big challenge for us all. Together with BMW, I have celebrated success in many different disciplines and behind the wheel of some fantastic racing cars in recent years. I am more than confident that this will also be the case in the DTM. The BMW M3 DTM looks fantastic. I can hardly wait to get to know the car better in the coming tests, to contribute to its development, and ultimately to sit in the cockpit for the first DTM race in 2012.”
Powered by a V8 engine producing around 473 bhp (353 kW / 480 PS), the M3 DTM should be able to accelerate from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in about three seconds, before going on to a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h).
Related post:
Audi A5 DTM renderings
Monday, June 20, 2011
Turbo cars lead BTCC
The 2011 British Touring Car Championship is now already midway through its season.
So far, it has been rather dominated by the contentious issue of performance parity between the turbocharged and normally-aspirated cars, although another boost reduction introduced for the most recent round at Croft seems to have helped a lot.
That said, the championship table remains dominated by cars running NGTC engines, with sixth-place Jason Plato in his Chevrolet Cruze seemingly the only non-turbo entrant with any realistic prospect of taking the title.
The series now takes its long summer break, with the next event taking place at Snetterton on 7th August.
Related posts:
Avensis NGTC racers debut
2011 BTCC entries
Snetterton corner names
So far, it has been rather dominated by the contentious issue of performance parity between the turbocharged and normally-aspirated cars, although another boost reduction introduced for the most recent round at Croft seems to have helped a lot.
That said, the championship table remains dominated by cars running NGTC engines, with sixth-place Jason Plato in his Chevrolet Cruze seemingly the only non-turbo entrant with any realistic prospect of taking the title.
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| Chevrolet Cruze Super 2000 |
The series now takes its long summer break, with the next event taking place at Snetterton on 7th August.
| 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship: Standings After Five Rounds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Car | Points |
| 1 | Matt Neal | Honda Racing Team | Honda Civic | 140 |
| 2 | Mat Jackson | Airwaves Racing | Ford Focus | 131 |
| 3 | Gordon Shedden | Honda Racing Team | Honda Civic | 120 |
| 4 | Andrew Jordan | Pirtek Racing | Vauxhall Vectra | 111 |
| 5 | James Nash | 888 Racing with Collins Contractors | Vauxhall Vectra | 104 |
| 6 | Jason Plato | Silverline Chevrolet | Chevrolet Cruze | 100 |
| 7 | Robert Collard | WSR | BMW 320si | 66 |
| 8 | Tom Chilton | Team Aon | ‘Global’ Ford Focus | 64 |
| 9 | Alex MacDowall | Silverline Chevrolet | Chevrolet Cruze | 47 |
| 10 | Paul O’Neill | GoMobileUK.com with tech-Speed | Chevrolet Cruze | 32 |
| 11 | Tom Boardman | Special Tuning Racing | Seat Leon | 31 |
| 12 | Nick Foster | WSR | BMW 320si | 27 |
| 13 | Tony Gilham | 888 Racing with Collins Contractors | Vauxhall Vectra | 12 |
| 14 | Jeff Smith | Pirtek Racing | Vauxhall Vectra | 12 |
| 15 | Tom Onslow-Cole | Team Aon | ‘Global’ Ford Focus | 10 |
| 16 | Andy Neate | Team Aon | ‘Global’ Ford Focus | 9 |
| 17 | David Newsham | Geoff Steel Racing | BMW 320si | 9 |
| 18 | Lea Wood | Central Group Racing | Honda Integra | 4 |
| 19 | Liam Griffin | Airwaves Racing | Ford Focus | 2 |
| 20 | Rob Austin | Rob Austin Racing | Audi A4 | 0 |
| 21 | Frank Wrathall | Dynojet | Toyota Avensis | 0 |
| 22 | David Pinkney | Rob Austin Racing | Audi A4 | 0 |
| 23 | John George | GoMobileUK.com with tech-Speed | Chevrolet Cruze | 0 |
| 24 | Daniel Welch | Welch Automotive | Proton Gen-2 | 0 |
| 25 | Tony Hughes | Speedworks Motorsport | Toyota Avensis | 0 |
| 26 | Chris James | Team ES Racing.com | Chevrolet Lacetti | 0 |
| 27 | Shaun Hollamby | AmD Milltek Racing.com | Volkswagen Golf | 0 |
Related posts:
Avensis NGTC racers debut
2011 BTCC entries
Snetterton corner names
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Friday, June 10, 2011
Audi takes Le Mans pole
The grid for 2011’s Le Mans 24 Hours will see an all-Audi front row.
Both R18 TDI Audi Sport Team Joest entries managed to just better the times set by any of the Peugeots, surely their greatest rivals for the race.
Indeed, the first seven spots are occupied by either an R18 TDI or a 908, both of which are diesel-powered. That dominance would suggest that efforts by race organisers, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, to equalise performance between petrol and diesel cars hasn’t been successful.
Related posts:
Aston Martin AMR-One
Peugeot 908 HDi FAP
Audi unveils R18 race car
Both R18 TDI Audi Sport Team Joest entries managed to just better the times set by any of the Peugeots, surely their greatest rivals for the race.
Indeed, the first seven spots are occupied by either an R18 TDI or a 908, both of which are diesel-powered. That dominance would suggest that efforts by race organisers, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, to equalise performance between petrol and diesel cars hasn’t been successful.
| 2011 24 Heures Du Mans - Qualification | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Race No. | Team | Drivers | Car | Class | Time |
| 1 | 2 | Audi Sport Team Joest | M. Fassler / A. Lotterer / B. Treluyer | Audi R18 TDI | LM P1 | 3:25.738 |
| 2 | 1 | Audi Sport Team Joest | T. Bernhard / R. Dumas / M. Rockenfeller | Audi R18 TDI | LM P1 | 3:25.799 |
| 3 | 9 | Team Peugeot Total | P. Lamy / S. Bourdais / S. Pagenaud | Peugeot 908 | LM P1 | 3:26.010 |
| 4 | 8 | Peugeot Sport Total | F. Montagny / S. Sarrazin / N. Minassian | Peugeot 908 | LM P1 | 3:26.156 |
| 5 | 3 | Audi Sport North America | R. Capello / T. Kristensen / A. McNish | Audi R18 TDI | LM P1 | 3:26.165 |
| 6 | 7 | Peugeot Sport Total | M. Gene / A. Wurz / A. Davidson | Peugeot 908 | LM P1 | 3:26.272 |
| 7 | 10 | Team Oreca Matmut | N. Lapierre / L. Duval / O. Panis | Peugeot 908 HDI-FAP | LM P1 | 3:30.084 |
| 8 | 12 | Rebellion Racing | N. Jani / N. Prost / J. Bleekemolen | Lola B 10/60 Coupe-Toyota | LM P1 | 3:32.883 |
| 9 | 16 | Pescarolo Team | E. Collard / C. Tinseau / J. Jousse | Pescarolo Judd | LM P1 | 3:33.066 |
| 10 | 13 | Rebellion Racing | A. Belicchi / J. Boullion / G. Smith | Lola B 10/60 Coupe-Toyota | LM P1 | 3:34.573 |
| 11 | 15 | Oak Racing | T. Monteiro / G. Moreau / P. Ragues | Oak Pescarolo-Judd | LM P1 | 3:34.933 |
| 12 | 22 | Kronos Racing | V. Ickx / M. Martin / B. Leinders | Lola Aston Martin | LM P1 | 3:36.551 |
| 13 | 20 | Quifel-Asm Team | M. Amaral / O. Pla / W. Hughes | Zytek 09 SC | LM P1 | 3:37.393 |
| 14 | 26 | Signatech Nissan | F. Mailleux / L. Ordoñez / S. Ayari | Oreca 03-Nissan | LM P2 | 3:41.458 |
| 15 | 24 | Oak Racing | J. Nicolet / R. Hein / J. Yvon | Oak Pescarolo-Judd | LM P1 | 3:41.908 |
| 16 | 42 | Strakka Racing | N. Leventis / D. Watts / J. Kane | Honda Performance Development Arx 01 | LM P2 | 3:42.615 |
| 17 | 48 | Team Oreca Matmut | A. Premat / D. Hallyday / D. Kraihamer | Oreca 03-Nissan | LM P2 | 3:43.098 |
| 18 | 39 | Pecom Racing | L. Perez-Companc / M. Russo / P. Kaffer | Lola B11/40-Judd BMW | LM P2 | 3:43.223 |
| 19 | 49 | Oak Racing | S. Nakano / N. De Crem / J. Charouz | Oak Pescarolo-BMW | LM P2 | 3:43.479 |
| 20 | 41 | Greaves Motorsport | K. Ojjeh / O. Lombard / T. Kimber-Smith | Zytek Nissan | LM P2 | 3:43.802 |
| 21 | 40 | Race Performance | M. Frey / R. Meichtry / M. Rostan | Oreca 03-Judd BMW | LM P2 | 3:44.294 |
| 22 | 007 | Aston Martin Racing | C. Klien / S. Mucke / D. Turner | Aston Martin AMR-One | LM P1 | 3:45.918 |
| 23 | 36 | RML | T. Erdos / M. Newton / B. Collins | Honda Performance Development Arx 01 | LM P2 | 3:47.308 |
| 24 | 5 | Hope Racing | S. Zacchia / J. Lammers / C. Elgaard | Oreca Swiss Hy Tech-Hybrid | LM P1 | 3:47.691 |
| 25 | 009 | Aston Martin Racing | A. Fernandez / A. Meyrick / H. Primat | Aston Martin AMR-One | LM P1 | 3:48.355 |
| 26 | 44 | Extreme Limite AM Paris | F. Rosier / P. Haezebrouck / J. De Fournoux | Norma M200P-Judd BMW | LM P2 | 3:48.420 |
| 27 | 35 | Oak Racing | A. Barlesi / F. Da Rocha / P. Lafargue | Oak Pescarolo-Judd BMW | LM P2 | 3:48.665 |
| 28 | 33 | Level 5 Motorsports | S. Tucker / C. Bouchut / J. Barbosa | Lola Coupe-Honda Performance Development | LM P2 | 3:48.863 |
| 29 | 55 | BMW Motorsport | A. Farfus / J. Muller / D. Werner | BMW M3 GT | LM GTE Pro | 3:57.592 |
| 30 | 51 | AF Corse Srl | G. Fisichella / G. Bruni / T. Vilander | Ferrari 458 Italia | LM GTE Pro | 3:58.040 |
| 31 | 56 | BMW Motorsport | A. Priaulx / D. Muller / J. Hand | BMW M3 GT | LM GTE Pro | 3:58.426 |
| 32 | 74 | Corvette Racing | O. Gavin / J. Magnussen / R. Westbrook | Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1 | LM GTE Pro | 3:59.519 |
| 33 | 89 | Hankook-Team Farnbacher | D. Farnbacher / A. Simonsen / L. Keen | Ferrari 458 Italia | LM GTE Pro | 3:59.519 |
| 34 | 73 | Corvette Racing | A. Garcia / T. Milner / O. Beretta | Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1 | LM GTE Pro | 3:59.633 |
| 35 | 77 | Team Felbermayr-Proton | M. Lieb / R. Lietz / W. Henzler | Porsche 911 RSR (997) | LM GTE Pro | 3:59.662 |
| 36 | 59 | Luxury Racing | S. Ortelli / F. Makowiecki / J. Melo | Ferrari 458 Italia | LM GTE Pro | 3:59.901 |
| 37 | 75 | Prospeed Competition | M. Goossens / M. Holzer / J. Van Lagen | Porsche 911 RSR (997) | LM GTE Pro | 3:59.962 |
| 38 | 79 | Jota | S. Dolan / S. Hancock / C. Buncombe | Aston Martin Vantage | LM GTE Pro | 4:00.747 |
| 39 | 66 | JMW Motorsport | R. Bell / T. Sugden / X. Maassen | Ferrari 458 Italia | LM GTE Pro | 4:00.890 |
| 40 | 80 | Flying Lizard Motorsports | J. Bergmeister / P. Long / L. Luhr | Porsche 911 RSR (997) | LM GTE Pro | 4:01.024 |
| 41 | 58 | Luxury Racing | A. Beltoise / F. Jakubowski / P. Thiriet | Ferrari 458 Italia | LM GTE Pro | 4:01.176 |
| 42 | 61 | AF Corse SRL | P. Perazzini / M. Cioci / S. Breslin | Ferrari F430 | LM GTE Am | 4:01.282 |
| 43 | 88 | Team Felbermayr-Proton | B. Miller / N. Tandy / A. Al-Faisal | Porsche 911 RSR (997) | LM GTE Pro | 4:01.752 33 |
| 44 | 71 | AF Corse | R. Kauffman / M. Waltrip / R. Aguas | Ferrari 458 Italia | LM GTE Pro | 4:02.216 |
| 45 | 76 | Imsa Performance Matmut | P. Pilet / R. Narac / N. Armindo | Porsche 911 RSR (997) | LM GTE Pro | 4:02.548 |
| 46 | 63 | Proton Competition | C. Ried / H. Felbermayr Jr. / H. Felbermayr | Porsche 911 RSR (997) | LM GTE Am | 4:03.532 |
| 47 | 81 | Flying Lizard Motorsports | S. Neiman / D. Law / S. Pumpelly | Porsche 911 RSR (997) | LM GTE Am | 4:03.648 |
| 48 | 70 | Larbre Competition | C. Bourret / P. Gibon / J. Belloc | Porsche 911 RSR (997) | LM GTE Am | 4:03.918 |
| 49 | 83 | JMB Racing | M. Rodrigues / J. Menahem / N. Marroc | Ferrari F430 | LM GTE Am | 4:04.640 |
| 50 | 60 | Gulf AMR Middle East | F. Giroix / R. Goethe / M. Wainwright | Aston Martin Vantage | LM GTE Am | 4:04.825 |
| 51 | 57 | Krohn Racing | T. Krohn / N. Jonsson / M. Rugolo | Ferrari F430 | LM GTE Am | 4:05.211 |
| 52 | 50 | Larbre Competition | P. Bornhanuser / J. Canal / G. Gardel | Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1 | LM GTE Am | 4:05.955 |
| 53 | 62 | CRS Racing | P. Ehret / S. Lynn / R. Wills | Ferrari F430 | LM GTE Am | 4:07.236 |
| 54 | 65 | Lotus Jetalliance | J. Rossiter / J. Mowlem / J. Hirschi | Lotus Evora | LM GTE Pro | 4:07.465 |
| 55 | 68 | Robertson Racing LLC | D. Robertson / A. Robertson / D. Murry | Ford GT-Doran | LM GTE Am | 4:08.208 |
| 56 | 64 | Lotus Jetalliance | O. Slingerland / M. Rich / J. Hartshorne | Lotus Evora | LM GTE Pro | 4:12.569 |
Related posts:
Aston Martin AMR-One
Peugeot 908 HDi FAP
Audi unveils R18 race car
Thursday, June 9, 2011
200 mph Škoda Octavia vRS
Škoda UK is to enter a highly-tuned Octavia vRS at August’s Bonneville Speed Week. Running in the 2.0 litre production car class, the aim is to hit 200 mph (322 km/h) across the salt flats.
Remarkably, the car’s 2.0 TSI engine remains unaltered, although the standard turbocharger has been replaced with an upgraded Garret G05 item that can handle 28 psi of boost. Running on high octane race fuel, the result is an output of around 590 bhp (440 kW / 600 PS) - about three times that of the stock Octavia vRS.
Various pieces of safety equipment have been installed, including fire extinguishers, a roll cage and a parachute. The rear brakes, however, are obviously redundant as they’re missing from the spec sheet.
Other modifications are there solely to improve the Octavia’s aerodynamics, and therefore top speed. The ride height is lowered by 80 mm, disc wheel covers are fitted and anything extraneous such as the door mirrors has been thrown away.
The 200 mph attempt is being made to celebrate ten years of vRS performance models. Like all other Bonneville competitors, the Škoda will travel along a nine-mile straight course, of which a mile in the middle is timed.
One thing that the project highlights is the standard Octavia vRS chassis could easily handle more than its current 197 bhp (147 kW / 200 PS).
Assuming all goes well, maybe Škoda should congratulate itself by producing a celebratory showroom model using either the 236 bhp (177 kW / 240 PS) 2.0 litre engine from the Seat Leon Cupra, or even the 266 bhp (198 kW / 270 PS) version from the Volkswagen Golf R?
Related posts:
Škoda Vision D at Geneva
Škoda Fabia Monte Carlo
Remarkably, the car’s 2.0 TSI engine remains unaltered, although the standard turbocharger has been replaced with an upgraded Garret G05 item that can handle 28 psi of boost. Running on high octane race fuel, the result is an output of around 590 bhp (440 kW / 600 PS) - about three times that of the stock Octavia vRS.
Various pieces of safety equipment have been installed, including fire extinguishers, a roll cage and a parachute. The rear brakes, however, are obviously redundant as they’re missing from the spec sheet.
Other modifications are there solely to improve the Octavia’s aerodynamics, and therefore top speed. The ride height is lowered by 80 mm, disc wheel covers are fitted and anything extraneous such as the door mirrors has been thrown away.
The 200 mph attempt is being made to celebrate ten years of vRS performance models. Like all other Bonneville competitors, the Škoda will travel along a nine-mile straight course, of which a mile in the middle is timed.
One thing that the project highlights is the standard Octavia vRS chassis could easily handle more than its current 197 bhp (147 kW / 200 PS).
Assuming all goes well, maybe Škoda should congratulate itself by producing a celebratory showroom model using either the 236 bhp (177 kW / 240 PS) 2.0 litre engine from the Seat Leon Cupra, or even the 266 bhp (198 kW / 270 PS) version from the Volkswagen Golf R?
| Technical Specifications | Škoda Octavia vRS (Bonneville Special) | Škoda Octavia vRS (Production version) |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| Max speed | 200 mph + (322 km/h +) | 149 mph (240 km/h) |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h) | TBC | 7.2 secs |
| Power | 550 - 600 PS | 200 PS |
| Max. torque | 450 Nm at 6,000 - 7,700 rpm | 280 Nm at 1,700 - 5,000 rpm |
| Fuel consumption | TBC | 36.7 mpg (7.7 l/100km) combined |
| CO2 emissions | TBC | 180 g/km |
| Engine | ||
| Type | TSI, traverse-mounted | TSI, traverse-mounted |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,984 cc |
| Bore x stroke | 82.5 mm x 92.8 mm | 82.5 mm x 92.8 mm |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 | 4 |
| Fuelling | Direct fuel injection | Direct fuel injection |
| Compression ratio | 9.6:1 | 9.6:1 |
| Turbo | Garret G05 65 mm twin blade billet cut compressor wheel with ported intake housing and TIAL exhaust housing with 40 mm external waste gate and 55 mm blow-off valve | Stock Škoda IHI turbo with internal recirculation valve mounted on cast exhaust manifold |
| Boost pressure | 26 - 28 psi | 18 - 20 psi |
| Fuel type | 120 RON high octane race control fuel with water methanol injection | 95 RON unleaded petrol |
| Engine management | Stock Škoda engine control unit with REVO Technik software and AIM data logging | Stock Škoda engine control unit |
| Transmission | ||
| Gearbox | Six-speed Octavia GreenLine II manual transmission, fully synchronised with direct gearshift and GripperDiff Limited Slip Differential | Six-speed manual transmission |
| Clutch | Hydraulically-activated single plate four-pad sintered clutch with single mass flywheel | Hydraulically-activated single-plate dry clutch with diaphragm spring, asbestos-free coating |
| Chassis | ||
| Front axle / rear axle | McPherson axle with independent multi-link suspension | McPherson axle with the bottom triangular control arms and independent multi-link suspension with one longitudinal and two cross arms and torsion stabiliser |
| Suspension | K+W coilovers two-way adjustable with anti-roll bar removed. Ride height of 50 mm (subframe from floor) | Coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, rear springs located outside the shock absorbers (gas shock absorbers in rear) |
| Front brakes | Škoda Octavia GreenLine front discs and calipers for reduced drag | Disc brakes with hollow discs, internal cooling and single-piston floating calliper |
| Rear brakes | None | Disc brakes with full discs and single-piston floating callipers |
| Wheels | Škoda GreenLine 15” steel wheels | 18” Neptune alloys |
| Tyres | Goodyear Eagle Land Speed Tyres | 7.5J x 18” 225/40 R18 92Y |
| Dimensions | ||
| Kerb weight | 1,450 kg | 1,395 kg |
| Total weight | 2,000 kg | 1,950 kg |
| Ground clearance | 50 mm | 128 mm |
Related posts:
Škoda Vision D at Geneva
Škoda Fabia Monte Carlo
Sunday, June 5, 2011
2012 WRC calendar revised
The FIA World Motor Sport Council has agreed the venues and dates for the 2012 World Rally Championship.
In a move that will delight many fans, the Monte Carlo Rally is to be included on the calendar for the first time since 2008, having spent the past three seasons as a round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.
Italy is also in, but the intended event in Abu Dhabi has been abandoned because its business plan did not get the required approval.
In a change to the regulations, a form of qualifying is going to be introduced from the beginning of next year. The shakedown times set by all Priority 1 and 2 crews will be used to determine the day one running order, with the fastest competitors allowed to choose their start positions.
This should help get around the current problem where the first to set off are often at a disadvantage - especially on gravel stages - because they sweep a clearer path for subsequent cars, who then benefit from the extra grip and so gain extra speed.
Related post:
2012 WRC calendar
In a move that will delight many fans, the Monte Carlo Rally is to be included on the calendar for the first time since 2008, having spent the past three seasons as a round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.
![]() |
| Could 2012 see a Mini win the Monte Carlo Rally for the first time since 1967? |
Italy is also in, but the intended event in Abu Dhabi has been abandoned because its business plan did not get the required approval.
| FIA 2012 World Rally Championship | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Date | Country | |
| 1 | 22/01 | Monte Carlo | |
| 2 | 12/02 | Sweden | |
| 3 | 11/03 | Mexico | |
| 4 | 01/04 | Portugal | |
| 5 | 29/04 | Argentina | |
| 6 | 27/05 (or 03/06)* | Greece | |
| 7 | 24/06 | New Zealand | |
| 8 | 05/08 | Finland | |
| 9 | 26/08 | Germany | |
| 10 | 16/09 | Great Britain | |
| 11 | 07/10 | France | |
| 12 | October* | Italy | |
| 13 | 04/11 | Spain | |
| * Dates to be confirmed. | |||
| Dates shown are the Sunday of each rally weekend. | |||
In a change to the regulations, a form of qualifying is going to be introduced from the beginning of next year. The shakedown times set by all Priority 1 and 2 crews will be used to determine the day one running order, with the fastest competitors allowed to choose their start positions.
This should help get around the current problem where the first to set off are often at a disadvantage - especially on gravel stages - because they sweep a clearer path for subsequent cars, who then benefit from the extra grip and so gain extra speed.
Related post:
2012 WRC calendar
Friday, June 3, 2011
Honda unveils NSF250R
Honda Racing Corporation has revealed its NSF250R at the Circuit de Catalunya. The brand new racer has been built to compete in Moto3, the class for four-stroke, 250 cc machines that replaces the current two-stroke 125 cc category from next season.
The NSF250R’s engine is a single cylinder unit, which is tilted back 15 degrees in the bike to help concentrate mass and improve stability. Producing 47.6 bhp (35.5 kW / 48.2 PS) at 13,000 rpm, it features double overhead camshafts plus titanium intake and exhaust valves. Drive is via a six-speed, cassette type gearbox.
Both the aluminium frame and suspension geometry are based on those of the RS125R, although efforts have been made to improve torsional rigidity. This has been necessary to combat the extra bulk of the four-stroke motor, with modifications including the fitment of a revised swing arm. Kerb weight, ready to ride, is 84 kg (185 lbs).
Customer teams will be able to buy the NSF250R at a confirmed price of €23,600. That’s around £21,000 or US$34,500 at today’s exchange rates.
Related posts:
Honda WSB team launch
Honda CBR250R first look
The NSF250R’s engine is a single cylinder unit, which is tilted back 15 degrees in the bike to help concentrate mass and improve stability. Producing 47.6 bhp (35.5 kW / 48.2 PS) at 13,000 rpm, it features double overhead camshafts plus titanium intake and exhaust valves. Drive is via a six-speed, cassette type gearbox.
Both the aluminium frame and suspension geometry are based on those of the RS125R, although efforts have been made to improve torsional rigidity. This has been necessary to combat the extra bulk of the four-stroke motor, with modifications including the fitment of a revised swing arm. Kerb weight, ready to ride, is 84 kg (185 lbs).
Customer teams will be able to buy the NSF250R at a confirmed price of €23,600. That’s around £21,000 or US$34,500 at today’s exchange rates.
Related posts:
Honda WSB team launch
Honda CBR250R first look
Friday, May 27, 2011
Dacia Duster No Limit
Dacia has unveiled the Duster No Limit, a one-off version of the Romanian firm’s off-roader that has been created for one purpose: to win the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on Sunday, June 26.
Because it will be competing in the PPIHC ‘Unlimited’ class - where there’s no minimum weight rule, no limit on engine capacity or output and anything goes regarding aerodynamics and transmissions - the competition Dacia shares nothing with its showroom equivalent except a silhouette.
Developed with the help of Renault Sport Technologies, the Duster No Limit features a mid-mounted 3.8 litre V6 engine from the Nissan GT-R beneath its glass-fibre bodywork. Built by specialists Sodemo, it pumps out around 838 bhp (625 kW / 850 PS) which is then fed to the wheels via a Sadev six-speed sequential gearbox.
And it’ll need all that power too, as the 12.42 mile (19.98 km) course finishes at the 14,110 foot (4,300 metre) summit of Pikes Peak. That kind of altitude is reckoned to reduce engine outputs by 30%.
Driving the Dacia Duster No Limit at Pikes Peak will be Frenchman Jean-Philippe Dayraut.
Related post:
Multistrada Pikes Peak
Because it will be competing in the PPIHC ‘Unlimited’ class - where there’s no minimum weight rule, no limit on engine capacity or output and anything goes regarding aerodynamics and transmissions - the competition Dacia shares nothing with its showroom equivalent except a silhouette.
Developed with the help of Renault Sport Technologies, the Duster No Limit features a mid-mounted 3.8 litre V6 engine from the Nissan GT-R beneath its glass-fibre bodywork. Built by specialists Sodemo, it pumps out around 838 bhp (625 kW / 850 PS) which is then fed to the wheels via a Sadev six-speed sequential gearbox.
And it’ll need all that power too, as the 12.42 mile (19.98 km) course finishes at the 14,110 foot (4,300 metre) summit of Pikes Peak. That kind of altitude is reckoned to reduce engine outputs by 30%.
Driving the Dacia Duster No Limit at Pikes Peak will be Frenchman Jean-Philippe Dayraut.
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Multistrada Pikes Peak
Friday, May 20, 2011
Aston Martin V12 Zagato
Fifty years after the DB4GT Zagato, and following in the wheel tracks of several subsequent collaborations with the Italian design house, Aston Martin has unveiled the new V12 Zagato concept.
Its debut will be at the Villa D'Este Concours on 21st May 2011, which takes place near Lake Como in Italy. Aston Martin is going to use the occasion to ‘gauge customer interest’, despite already confirming that a strictly limited run of cars will be built.
But the V12 Zagato isn’t just going to be a road car. In the tradition of previous Aston Martin Zagatos a race programme is planned, starting off with the four hour VLN Nürburgring race on 28th May 2011, and then followed by a 24 hour event at the same venue on 25th and 26th June 2011.
Unsurprisingly for a Zagato creation, the looks are arguably more challenging than those of a series production Aston Martin.
Even Marek Reichman, Director of Design at Aston Martin, described it as ‘an elegant yet brutal design which reflects the great balance between race performance and pure Aston Martin style. The original DB4GT Zagato was a true icon, powerful and graceful; the new design is a true representation of the spirit of DB4GT Zagato. The muscular organic forms define the thoroughbred nature of the car's racing credentials.’
Regardless of whether the styling divides opinion, there’s no disputing the craftsmanship that has gone into building the car. Sitting atop the bonded aluminium structure (borrowed from the V12 Vantage) is a handmade aluminium body, assembled using traditional techniques. The front wings, for example, are each made from seven separate pieces of metal, while the roof panel alone uses five pieces.
No word on prices yet, but that probably won’t be of much concern to prospective owners.
Related posts:
Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale
Aston Martin is coolest
Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa
Its debut will be at the Villa D'Este Concours on 21st May 2011, which takes place near Lake Como in Italy. Aston Martin is going to use the occasion to ‘gauge customer interest’, despite already confirming that a strictly limited run of cars will be built.
But the V12 Zagato isn’t just going to be a road car. In the tradition of previous Aston Martin Zagatos a race programme is planned, starting off with the four hour VLN Nürburgring race on 28th May 2011, and then followed by a 24 hour event at the same venue on 25th and 26th June 2011.
Unsurprisingly for a Zagato creation, the looks are arguably more challenging than those of a series production Aston Martin.
Even Marek Reichman, Director of Design at Aston Martin, described it as ‘an elegant yet brutal design which reflects the great balance between race performance and pure Aston Martin style. The original DB4GT Zagato was a true icon, powerful and graceful; the new design is a true representation of the spirit of DB4GT Zagato. The muscular organic forms define the thoroughbred nature of the car's racing credentials.’
Regardless of whether the styling divides opinion, there’s no disputing the craftsmanship that has gone into building the car. Sitting atop the bonded aluminium structure (borrowed from the V12 Vantage) is a handmade aluminium body, assembled using traditional techniques. The front wings, for example, are each made from seven separate pieces of metal, while the roof panel alone uses five pieces.
No word on prices yet, but that probably won’t be of much concern to prospective owners.
| Aston Martin V12 Zagato (Endurance Race Specification) | |
|---|---|
| Body | |
| Type | Two door, two seat coupe |
| Chassis | Bonded aluminium structure |
| Body | Hand crafted aluminium |
| Roll cage | FIA compliant; steel |
| Fuel system | 120 litre endurance racing fuel tank |
| Suspension | All-round independent double wishbone with fully adjustable Multimatic DSSV dampers |
| Front brakes | Ventilated floating grooved discs with 6 piston callipers |
| Rear brakes | Ventilated floating grooved discs with 4 piston callipers |
| Engine | |
| Type | All alloy, quad overhead cam 48-valve 5,935 cc V12 |
| Location | Front mid-mounted |
| Power | 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS) |
| Torque | 570 Nm (420 lb/ft) |
| Compression ratio | 10.9:1 |
| Transmission | |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive; limited slip differential; magnesium alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft |
| Gearbox | Six-speed automated manual gearbox with auto shift manual / select shift manual (ASM / SSM) electric hydraulic control system; rear-mid mounted |
| Clutch | Twin plate competition |
Related posts:
Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale
Aston Martin is coolest
Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Yamaha reveals 50th livery
The Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP bikes of Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies are set to change colour, albeit temporarily.
Replacing the usual blue and white paintjob will be a red and white design that marks Yamaha Factory Racing’s fifty years in World Championship Grand Prix racing.
Fans will get a chance to see the celebratory livery at two rounds only, the Assen TT on 25th June and Laguna Seca on 24th July.
Related post:
Yamaha YZR-M1 livery
Replacing the usual blue and white paintjob will be a red and white design that marks Yamaha Factory Racing’s fifty years in World Championship Grand Prix racing.
Fans will get a chance to see the celebratory livery at two rounds only, the Assen TT on 25th June and Laguna Seca on 24th July.
Related post:
Yamaha YZR-M1 livery
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