Maserati GranTurismo MC Corse Concept: Photos & Video

Maserati has released the details of its new race car concept, the GranTurismo MC Corse. Developed by Maserati Racing Department engineers, the track-bound GranTurismo MC Concept is based on Maserati's flagship GranTurismo S. It comes with an upgraded engine along with a new intake system, catalytic converters and a center-exit exhaust enabling it to make 450 hp of power. Other modifications include an aero kit, 18-inch lightweight alloys, upgraded suspension and brake components and a FIA-approved rollcage.

GranTurismo MC Hi-Res Pics Pasted Below.

The Maserati Corse concept features two large air intakes along with new side air vents linked to the side skirts to improve air cooling for both the engine and the front brakes. The rear fenders are now wider to accommodate larger rear tires. Plus there are twin exit exhaust pipes integrated into the rear diffuser and the suspension has been upgraded to meet the track surface with new racing shocks and large racing slicks.

The MC Concept has been stripped of almost all the interior luxury that GranTurismo S possess. This weight saving exercise allowed it to gain a FIA-approved rollcage, a sole racing seat and a Sparco racing steering wheel while still weighing less than 1,400kg.

Maserati hasn't yet disclosed if the GranTurismo MC Corse concept is just a design exercise or an actual race car that we can soon hope to see in track events.

Source: carmagazine
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Video: Testing the new Maserati Granturismo MC Concept at Monza circuit.



Photo Gallery: Maserati GranTurismo MC Corse Concept High-Res Pictures.

Audi To Debut 1939 Auto Union "Silver Arrow" Type D Reconstruction

Audi Tradition is marking this year's Festival of Speed at Goodwood, England (July 11 to 13, 2008) with a world debut. At the largest classic car racing event in the world, the Ingolstadt company will be taking the wraps off an absolutely authentic reconstruction of the original Auto Union "Silverarrow" Type D Dual Compressor from 1939.

Construction of this racing car, the original version of which won two Grand Prix races at the hands of H.P. Müller and Tazio Nuvolari, took four years. The "Silverarrow" will be taken on its maiden drive by Nick Mason, the Pink Floyd drummer, in front of some 150,000 spectators at Goodwood.

The Auto Union Type D that is about to make its debut will be the last "Silverarrow" replica to be commissioned by Audi Tradition. Thomas Frank, Head of Audi Tradition, continued: "Our Auto Union Type D from 1938, which to a very large extent is made from original parts and has been exhibited at racetracks for a number of years, will go on display in the Audi museum mobile in the medium term. One reason for this decision is that we need to avoid it being damaged. The new replica will take its place. We will thus still be able to give people the extraordinary experience of witnessing this car in action."

In Nick Mason, Audi has found a worthy pilot for its maiden outing. The Pink Floyd drummer is a leading proponent of classic car racing in Great Britain. Mason has driven in the Le Mans 24 Hours on five occasions and is the proud owner of a notable collection of racing cars whose value is in the mid-range double-digit millions. He already drove an Auto Union racing car at Goodwood in 2007: the 1936 Type C. And he is really relishing the prospect of this year's competition: "I must have done something right last year if Audi Tradition is now prepared to let me take to the wheel for this maiden trip. But seriously, it's a huge honour, which I sincerely appreciate."

Source: Audi
Read More On: Cars From Audi

Subaru Impreza WRC2008 To Debut At Acropolis Rally

The Subaru World Rally Team and STi has confirmed the launch of its new Impreza World Rally Car. The Impreza WRC2008 will make its debut on the seventh round of this year’s WRC, the Acropolis Rally of Greece, spanning from May 29 to June 1, 2008. Subaru will reveal all the tech details during an official launch on May 28th, in Athens, Greece.

Described by Subaru as ‘the most radically different Subaru World Rally Car in 15 years’, the new Impreza WRC2008 rocket will be driven by Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson at the Acropolis Rally. The car was first introduced at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show and now comes with a radically new styling but retains the Subaru horizontally-opposed turbocharged engine mated to Symmetrical AWD.

“We are very excited to be able to launch the all-new Impreza WRC2008 ahead of schedule” said David Richards, Subaru World Rally Team principal. “It is testament to the dedication and commitment of the team behind the scenes in the UK and at STi in Japan. Just as the latest Impreza road car represents a new era for Subaru so the WRC2008 represents a new era for all of us at the Subaru World Rally Team and I am confident that we will arrive in Greece able to fight competitively.”

Subaru had won the FIA WRC manufacturers’ title for the year 1995, 1996 and 1997 and their last WRC rally success came way back in 2005 at Mexico. Now by replacing its old work-horse, the WRC2007 with WRC2008, Subaru is again entering the ring to try an undo the damage done due to its string of failures in last few years at WRC. We wish them success.

Source: WRC

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Gumpert Apollo Hybrid Racer Photo Gallery

This photo gallery is for the new 2008 model Gumpert Apollo Hybrid photos & pictures. It contains high-res wallpaper images of interior and exterior for Gumpert's Apollo Hybrid racer. Click on the thumbnail pics below to enlarge.


Related Post: Gumpert Apollo Hybrid Ready For 24hr Nurburgring



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Video: Gumpert Apollo Hybrid Being Tested At Nurburgring

The new hybrid race edition of Gumpert Apollo from supercar makers Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur will take part at the 24-hour endurance race at the Nurburgring in Germany later this month. The green version of Apollo is powered by a hybrid drivetrain featuring a 3.3L twin-turbo petrol V8 mated to a 100kW electric motor taking combined output to 630hp.

The supercar's 190kg battery that powers the electric motor will get recharged when the car brakes are applied. The new hybrid racer driven by Ex-F1 star Heinz Harald Frentzen will compete against likes of Audi R8, Lexus LF-A and other supercars during the two day event.

Click For Gumpert Apollo Hybrid Pictures


Video: Gumpert Apollo Hybrid testing at the nürburgring


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2008 VW Scirocco Race Car At the Ring : New Photo

Volkswagen has now released another picture of the Scirocco Race Version lappping the ring. Yesterday VW took the Scirocco racer to the Nurburgring for the first time, after being tested at the Spreewaldring and Oschersleben track in April.

As we informed you earlier, VW in preparing its 300 hp 2.0-liter TFSI engined Scirocco Racer for the run up to the 24 Hours of Nurburgring race. The car is destined to hit Europe this autumn, and VW wants to give its best shot at the race to ensure a grand welcome for its revived Scirocco icon.

All the drivers for three Sciroccos that take part in the race will get a chance to practice more at the four-hour endurance race at the Nurburgring in VW Golf GTI R-Line's this saturday before the real event begins on May 24.

"The new Scirocco was in its element from its very first lap around the Nordschleife. The car also ran perfectly on this unique and difficult track,” says Volkswagen Motorsport Director

Source: volkswagen

Photo of Volkswagen Scirocco Coupe's Racer Variant.


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2008 Volkswagen Scirocco Racer Coupe To Debut

The 300hp 2.0-liter TFSi engined racing version of VW Scirocco will make its debut at 24-Hour Race at the Nurburgring to be held from 23-25 May. And what you see here is the first image of the factory-developed Scirocco racer.It was unveiled by Volkswagen last month at the Spreewaldring near Cottbus. The new sport-hatch comes with direct-shift transmission with DSG technology and will compete against Gumpert Apollo Hybrid, Lexus LF-A and others.

Among the drivers for Scirocco Racer Coupe will be the two-time Le Mans winner Hans-Joachim Stuck and the two-time World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz. Speaking at the car’s launch last month, Hans-Joachim Stuck said "the Scirocco is one of the most uncomplicated racing cars I’ve ever driven. It’s really fun."

Earlier Hans-Joachim Stuck, Dieter Depping, Francois Verbist and Thomas Mutsch completed a comprehensive endurance test with Scirocco race-bred version at the Motorsport Arena at Oschersleben. Last year's winner the VW Golf GTI hatch also used the same 300hp 2.0L TFSI engine design. So things already look ominous for the VW racer but currently there are no plans for a street variant of this car.

Photo of Volkswagen Scirocco Coupe's Racer Variant.


More: VW Scirocco

Mazda Brings Mazda3 MPS To Targa Tasmania Rally

Mazda Motorsport Australia is using the hot hatch Mazdaspeed3 (called Mazda3 MPS there)at the tarmac-based rally known as the Targa Tasmania. This will be the eighth race for Mazda and the second for the MPS rally car. The MPS develops 255 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, with power transferred to the road via a standard six-speed manual transmission. It weighs 3,093 pounds and uses 320mm (12.6 inch) ventilated brakes in front and 280mm (11.0 inch) solid discs in the rear.

Built under the watchful eye of Mazda Motorsport chief Allan Horsley, the 190kW Mazda3 MPS front-wheel-drive hot hatches will contest the event's 2WD Showroom competition, travelling 2000km over five gruelling days of competition. Targa Tasmania's racing regulations require that the Mazda 3 MPS rally car remain essentially standard. That means both cars are competing with standard audio equipment, power windows and carpets and upholstery intact. This makes it a bit more comfortable for Alister McRae and his co-driver.

necessary safety equipment fitted on the Mazda includs a PCD roll cage, racing seats, five-point harnesses and a fire extinguisher, but the performance modifications are kept to a minimum. The MPS is equipped with upgraded springs and struts, brake pads, a new steering wheel, navigation equipment, cat-back exhaust (cats are still fitted), some additional ducting to cool off the brakes and a revised ECU. Among the competitors in the "Showroom 2WD" class are a Mazda 3 diesel, a Peugeot 206 GTi 180, a Fiat Punto Sport and a Toyota TRD Aurion.

Mazdaspeed3 (Mazda3 MPS) Photo Gallery

No Marlboro Logo On Ferrari Formula 1 Car

No more Marlboro logos for Ferrari
It is likely that a cigarette brand will never again be outwardly visible on the livery of a Formula One car. Other teams - notably Renault, McLaren and Honda - farewelled their tobacco-fuelled dollars a couple of years ago, as anti-advertising laws swept Europe and the world.

Ferrari, however, opted to renew its association with Philip Morris, and until recently has been displaying Marlboro logos where possible, including in places like Monaco and China. But at the recent Bahrain grand prix, where local laws theoretically would have allowed Ferrari to run tobacco branding, the two F2008 cars instead displayed the so-called 'barcode' livery - reminiscent of the Marlboro signage but using white markings instead of letters and logos. According to Autoweek magazine, Ferrari has confirmed that Marlboro logos "will no longer appear on its cars".
source home of sport

Photos of Ferrari F2008 in Bahrain Grand Prix

Barry's Huge Jump At 140mph On Jim Clark Rally: Viral Video

On the Leithom stage of the Jim Clark Rally UK, Barry Johnson did something amazing to create one of the longest rally jump video. He jumped his Subaru Impreza at around 140mph(220kph) over a distance of about 60 feet. Its feels impressive when you look at how narrow the road is and how straight he keeps the car. This is what Jim Clark had to say after the jump.

"The car went on the limiter on the crest and thats 220 KPH! When we landed we were both winded and the shockers burst thats what caused the fire, the boot and rear quarters are bent down about 6 inches Never again i am in so much pain today. Apparently the record lenght jump set on a rally is 57 metre`s we must of been close to that? .... and he later added this: "It was one small step for mankind" They say no "pain no gain" and this is true cos i am going to gain a canny bill for the repairs. The bottom line is we are both going to recover and thats all that matters Thumbs Up!! On a lighter note; when i was in A+E the doctor came in and asked what had happened. I explained it went like this; I was doing 220KPH down the road, he said what type of road, i said single track back road.Then i took off on a jump and flew 60 metres and landed heavily... He said "your in the wrong hospital mate the mental hospital is 5 miles up the road"


Video: Barry's massive 220kph jump on the Leitholm stage.
Video Duration 00:06

Honda Racing F1 Signed Will Stevens Age 16 Years

Honda Racing F1 team have signed 16-year-old British karting star Will Stevens under a long-term driver support agreement. Stevens, one of the leading kart racers in the world, will get assistance from Honda "in developing to the level of performance that is required to potentially become part of Honda's Formula One programme in the future." Read below the detailed credentials of Will Stevens along with Honda F1 press release.

For the 2008 season he is racing with the prestigious TonyKart Racing Team in the KF1 class competing in all the major European races, alongside participation in the WSK International Series and the World Cup in Japan. At 16 years old, Stevens has the FIA-CIK KF2 European and Asia-Pacific, International Open Masters KF2, WSK Junior ICA and MSA British Junior titles to his name, along with five national championships.

PRESS RELEASE:

Honda Racing F1 Team signs Will Stevens
Karting star to benefit from Honda support through the junior ranks.

The Honda Racing F1 Team is delighted to announce that it has signed 16 year old British karting star Will Stevens under a long-term driver support agreement.

Will is firmly established as one of the leading young kart racers in the world. For the 2008 season he is racing with the prestigious TonyKart Racing Team in the KF1 class competing in all the major European races, alongside participation in the WSK International Series and the World Cup in Japan.

In 2007, Will won the FIA-CIK KF2 European and Asia-Pacific Championships, along with the International Open Masters KF2 title. He was the 2006 WSK Junior ICA Champion and the 2005 MSA British Junior Champion, in addition to winning five previous national titles.

As Will seeks to progress through the junior motorsport ranks, Honda will assist him in developing to the level of performance that is required to potentially become part of Honda's Formula One programme in the future.
Will visited the Honda Racing F1 Team's headquarters in Brackley today to meet Team Principal Ross Brawn and Chief Executive Officer Nick Fry, and tour the impressive facilities of the team's UK operational base.

Ron Meadows, Sporting Director for the Honda Racing F1 Team with responsibility for Honda's Young Driver Programme, commented, "We are delighted to welcome Will to the Honda Racing F1 Team. Will has had a very promising career in karting to date and we very much look forward to assisting his advancement through the ranks of the junior formulae towards achieving his ultimate ambition to race in Formula One. Honda considers the development of emerging motorsport talent to be a key part of our strategy and our commitment to Formula One. We look forward to seeing how Will progresses with our support over the course of the next few years."

Commenting on today's announcement, Will Stevens said, "I am extremely proud to be joining the Honda Racing F1 Team and this provides me with a great opportunity to progress my career towards my goal of reaching Formula One. I would like to thank everyone who has helped me so far in my career and especially Honda for their commitment and support of my future. I intend to do my very best to ensure that their belief in me is rewarded."