Tag Archives: Grand Prix

Automobiles

Video: Watch 1,208 Porsche 911s collect at Silverstone for world record

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By Brandon Turkus

Porsche 911 parade lapping Silverstone Grand Prix circuit

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Porsche has been spending the majority of 2013 celebrating the 50th birthday of the 911, with its latest stunt taking the German brand to the home of British motorsports, Silverstone. To celebrate, Porsche invited enthusiasts to take their personal 911s on a lap of the former airfield, and boy, did the Porschephiles show up. 1,208 911s took part in the lap around the Grand Prix circuit, making it the largest-ever gathering of the iconic, rear-engined cars.

This wasn’t just a celebration of 50 years for the 911, though. Funds raised were channeled towards Hope For Tomorrow, a cancer charity that works with the United Kingdom’s National Health Service in operating mobile chemothereapy units that make life just a little bit easier on cancer patients.

Take a look at the long video below, and enjoy the passing of what are likely examples of every 911 model ever built.

Continue reading Watch 1,208 Porsche 911s collect at Silverstone for world record

Watch 1,208 Porsche 911s collect at Silverstone for world record originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Jul 2013 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Automobiles

Official: Fangio F1 car sells for record $29M at Goodwood auction

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By Jeffrey N. Ross

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Rare gems of automotive history are always popping up at the Bonhams auction at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, but the racecar you see above just made a little more history. This Mercedes W196R was driven by Juan Manuel Fangio to wins in the 1954 German and Swiss Grand Prix races, and when the hammer fell at auction yesterday, the $29.65 million price it fetched made it the most expensive car ever sold at auction. It’s also earned the honor of being the most expensive F1 car ever sold and the most valuable Mercedes-Benz in the world.

Still battered by racing and time, this car in an important piece of history to both Formula One and Mercedes-Benz alike. According to Bonhams, Fangio’s wins gave Mercedes its first back-to-back post-war Grand Prix victories, and it introduced F1 cars to fuel-injection, tubular spaceframe chassis and inline eight-cylinder engines. Robert Brooks, Bonhams Chairman, called this car the “most important historic Grand Prix racing car ever offered for sale.”

Based on our own records, the Mercedes W196R came close to almost doubling the prior record holder for the most expensive car sold at auction, a 1957 Ferrari 250 TR Prototype that sold for $16.39 million at Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach auction in 2011. The Mercedes even came kinda-sorta close to the record price for a car sold privately, the current big seller being a 1962 Ferraro GTO built for Sterling Moss that went for a reported $35 million in a private sale last year.

Scroll down for more information about the Mercedes W196R F1 car, and be sure to check out the trio of images (including one of the car in action).

Continue reading Fangio F1 car sells for record $29M at Goodwood auction

Fangio F1 car sells for record $29M at Goodwood auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Jul 2013 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Automobiles

Motorsports: Rutledge Wood wins Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race in Long Beach

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By Zach Bowman

Rutledge Wood Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race

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Rutledge Wood took home the checkered flag at this year’s Toyota Pro/Celebrity race at the Grand Prix of Long Beach. The Top Gear USA presenter, Fox Sports commentator and Honda Wagovan owner managed to take pole position in qualifying, but lost his lead early in the race to Mark Steines. Steines has competed in the Pro/Celebrity race four times so far, but the Hallmark channel host of Home and Family couldn’t quite hold on to the lead. Wood eventually made up the ground he had lost for the win. This year, all the participants went fender to fender in identically prepared Scion FR-S racers.

Meanwhile, Adam Carolla took first in the Pro category, and Toyota donated $5,000 on behalf of each participant to Racing for Kids. The charity benefits children’s hospitals in the Long Beach area, and this year Toyota donated a total of $90,000. Check out the full press release below for more information.

Continue reading Rutledge Wood wins Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race in Long Beach

Rutledge Wood wins Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race in Long Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Apr 2013 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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From: http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/VA-UUoHvKuk/

Automobiles

Video: Watch Infiniti Red Bull Racing set a world record pitstop time in Malaysia

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By John Neff

Infiniti Red Bull Racing conducts a world-record pitstop in Malaysia - video screencap

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How quickly can you change a tire? The pit crew for Infiniti Red Bull Racing can do it in 2.05 seconds. Actually, they can change four tires in 2.05 seconds, and they did just that at the Grand Prix of Malaysia two weeks ago, setting a new world record for the quickest pitstop in the process.

There must’ve been something in the water over there in Malaysia, as the old pitstop record of 2.31 seconds set by McLaren in Germany last year fell six times during the course of the race. Five of those record-beating pitstops were performed by Infiniti Red Bull Racing, one for Sebastian Vettel on his first stop, which took 2.13 seconds, and four for fellow driver Mark Webber, who brought his car in on Lap 19 for what would be the quickest pitstop of the day and the new world record. Three other Webber pitstops were under the old record’s time, and even team McLaren apparently beat its old record in Malaysia with a best time of 2.28 seconds.

What does a 2.05-second pitstop look like? Scroll down to watch these expert car handlers reshoe an entire car in less time than it takes you to find a tire iron. We’ve also included a video of the previous record-setting pitstop by McLaren that stood for about a year.

Continue reading Watch Infiniti Red Bull Racing set a world record pitstop time in Malaysia

Watch Infiniti Red Bull Racing set a world record pitstop time in Malaysia originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Automobiles

Official: Infiniti hires Sebastian Vettel as Director of Performance

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By Jonathon Ramsey

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Remember when, during the Grand Prix of the Americas weekend last November, we told you that Sebastian Vettel had worked with Infiniti on the new G Coupe and that there’d be more of that kind of involvement on the way? It’s been made official with the three-time Formula One World Champion being named Infiniti’s Director of Performance.

Although the announcement is fresh, Vettel’s time on the job isn’t, Infiniti saying that Vettel went to Japan, the Nürburgring and the Circuit de Catalunya to assist in the development of the Q50 sedan.

When we spoke to Andreas Sigl, the man in charge of Infiniti’s F1 collaboration with Red Bull, about the tie-up he had also said, “Like Mercedes has AMG and BMW has M – whether it’s called IPL or not – we want to have something in that space.” If the brand is still serious about that, Vettel’s chops could help them deliver the kind of performance they’d need as upstarts to challenge the ringleaders of that particular hi-po circus.

We might find out soon enough if Vettel’s s better at taking team orders from Infiniti than Red Bull. There’s a press release below with the officially sanctioned paragraphs outlining his new role.

Continue reading Infiniti hires Sebastian Vettel as Director of Performance

Infiniti hires Sebastian Vettel as Director of Performance originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Automobiles

Anatomy of an F1 Pit Stop: 0:03 Is the Magic Number

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By K.C. Colwell

From the March 2013 issue of CAR and DRIVER

In Formula 1, fuel delivery used to dictate the length of pit stops. But since the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile banned in-race refueling in 2010, the cars now carry enough fuel for the duration of the race, meaning time in the pits is determined by how quickly a 14-plus-man crew can swap four wheels and tires. Today, sub-three-second stops are routine, and the astonishing choreography required to remain competitive on the slow side of the pit wall is nearly as impressive as the action on the fast side. Nearly.

Anatomy of an F1 Pit Stop: 0:03 Is the Magic Number

The best gunmen lock their air wrenches onto the magnesium wheel’s center-lock nut before the car even stops moving.
As soon as possible, the wheel-removal man takes off the used wheel and tire. This is his only job.
A fresh preheated tire/wheel assembly is installed. This is another highly specialized role.
The gunman tightens the center-lock nut and raises a hand to give the all-clear signal.
After the cars screech to a halt from the pit-lane speed limit of 62 mph, two men use simple lever-type jacks to elevate and hold the car in the air. Once they get the all-clear signal, they drop it back to the ground.
During wheel swaps, crews may make small adjustments to the front wing, clear debris from air intakes, and even replace the steering wheel. Such operations can lengthen stops by precious tenths of a second, so they are performed only if necessary.
The so-called lollipop man is usually the chief mechanic, who signals the driver to hold the brakes and select first gear, then releases the car by raising his sign, which looks like a lollipop. Note: Some teams have replaced the lollipop man with a traffic-light system.
in-car refueling
Cancer survivor Joe Bacal drove the entire 38 hours and 22 minutes to a Stock Full class victory in the 2012 Baja1000, relying on these from sponsor Hammer Nutrition:

20
Energy Gel
Packets		 25
Anti-fatigue
Capsules		 80 oz.
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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver
Automobiles

ETC: <em>Little Red Racing Car</em> Kickstarter project a father/son affair [w/video]

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By Seyth Miersma

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Tales of fathers and sons, whether told for adults or for children, never go out of style. It’s appropriate then that The Little Red Racing Car, a story about a father and son finding and restoring a 1955 Maserati 300S, is such a stylish piece of work.

Author Dwight Knowlton first started working on The Little Red Racing Car when, after his son was born, he “went looking for the perfect Father/Son/Car book” and couldn’t find one. Knowlton’s artwork in has been influenced heavily by vintage automotive advertising and Grand Prix posters, and has a very clean, art deco vibe as a result.

Of course, TLRRC is still just a work in progress. Knowlton is hoping the Kickstarter community will help to get the ball rolling, and raise $25,000 to the book printed and distributed. The author even has a stretch goal to have the whole shebang made into and animated film – we love big dreams. Follow on below to hear Knowlton’s pitch in his own words, or jump over to his Kickstarter page to look further or buy-in.

Continue reading Little Red Racing Car Kickstarter project a father/son affair [w/video]

Little Red Racing Car Kickstarter project a father/son affair [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Feb 2013 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Automobiles

Scion Preps FR-S Coupes to Run Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race [2013 Chicago Auto Show]

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By Andrew Wendler

2013 Chicago auto show full coverage

Toyota has revealed the Scion FR-S coupe in the competition trim it will do battle in the 37th Toyota Pro/Celebrity race. Marking the race’s return to rear-wheel-drive vehicles for the first time in 27 years, the car on the stand in Chicago represents one of 25 FR-S coupes that have been modified for the race.

According to Scion, the identically prepared FR-S coupes will use their stock engines and transmissions with a few components tweaked by Toyota Racing Development (TRD) including an airbox, a stainless-steel exhaust, coil-over shocks and springs, a big-brake kit with Hawk Performance pads, 18-inch TRD wheels shod with Bridgestone RE-11 225/40-18 tires, and a Centerforce racing clutch. Running 100-octane racing fuel and Redline lubricants, output is rated at 210 horsepower, slightly higher than the 200-hp rating of the stock car. Sound tasty? Well, Toyota says all of the parts will be available to customers direct from dealers, including the racer’s sleek lip spoiler. Safety features include a full roll cage, a five-point harness, a kill switch, a fire-extinguisher system, and a window net.


Held each year in the shadow of the Grand Prix of Long Beach (which is on April 21st), the Toyota Pro/Celebrity race is a 10-lap sprint for charity held on the Saturday before the IndyCar main event. Given the return to rear-wheel-drive cars and the amateur status of most celebrity drivers, we’re thinking a “no-traction control” mandate could make this one worth watching. In the meantime, check out the video below for the complete lowdown on the car’s build.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver

Video Gaming

Nintendo, Namco Team for Mario Kart Arcade Game

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Arcades may have long faded from their prominence in much of the world, but that isn’t stopping Nintendo and Namco Bandai. The two publishers are once again teaming up to develop a new Mario Kart game, titled Mario Kart: Arcade GP DX, for Japanese arcades. Due later this year, the game will make its debut in just two weeks time at the Japan Amusement Expo.

GP DX looks to be standard Mario Kart fare, and appears to include some of the franchise’s newer concepts, including the glider mechanics first introduced in Mario Kart 7 for the 3DS. The game also appears to include some sort of camera system to display racer’s faces in various ways. According to translations provided by members of NeoGAF, other modes listed by Namco Bandai include a single-player Grand Prix mode, two-player Co-op, “Clone Battle” mode and a competitive mode, which will support up to four players.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at IGN Video Games

Automobiles

McLaren’s First 50th Anniversary Video Explains Courage

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By Kurt Ernst

Bruce McLaren

McLaren marks five decades of operation in 2013, so it’s planning a series of events to commemorate its 50th birthday. Among these is a series of three videos, explaining the metamorphosis of McLaren from a fledgling race team to an international powerhouse behind some of the most successful race cars and some of the highest-performing road cars in the world.

The first video starts off in something of a mysterious manner. We see a driver in vintage race garb, peeling off helmet and gloves as he walks across a field to the track. Early on, we realize the man is Bruce McLaren, who died testing a new Can-Am car design, the M8D, at Goodwood in June of 1970.

Using dead people to pitch your products rarely works out well, but this video is perhaps the best exception to that rule we’ve ever seen. Director Marcus Söderlund does an exemplary job of honoring Bruce McLaren and his memory, instead of exploiting it for commercial gain. In fact, the video does a spectacular job of explaining what drove McLaren, and what continues to drive the company that bears his name to this day.

Sadly, Bruce McLaren’s remarkable story is likely unknown to many racing and performance enthusiasts today, and it’s a story well worth telling. McLaren earned his first Grand Prix win at age 22, and by the time of his death some 10 years later, his namesake company had become one of the dominant forces in Can-Am racing. McLaren may not have had a long life, but there’s no denying that he lived a full life.

Look for two more videos to be released by McLaren in 2013. If the first one is any indication, we can’t wait to see the rest.

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Automotive Addicts