Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[SEMA: Ford Racing debuts twin-turbo Mustang Cobra Jet Concept [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/30/ford-racing-debuts-twin-turbo-mustang-cobra-jet-concept-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/30/ford-racing-debuts-twin-turbo-mustang-cobra-jet-concept-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/30/ford-racing-debuts-twin-turbo-mustang-cobra-jet-concept-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Ford Racing Mustang Cobra Jet Concept

Last year at SEMA, Chevrolet absolutely stole the show with its COPO Camaro Concept. Not to be upstaged by their Bowtie counterparts, the boys over at the Blue Oval have countered with the car you see here, the Mustang Cobra Jet Concept. Built by Ford Racing and based on the 2013 Mustang Cobra Jet, this one-off racer features a pair of twin turbochargers attached to a 5.0-liter V8 using the same technology as Ford's EcoBoost engines.

While the current crop of Cobra Jets are plenty fast, running eight-second quarter miles in NHRA trim, Ford Racing says that the 2.9-liter Whipple supercharger currently used requires as much as 100 horsepower to operate - horsepower that isn't being delivered to the meaty rear tires. The turbos, however, provide a much lower parasitic loss in power. Relatively small turbos - similar to the ones used on the Focus ST - were also used on the concept, ensuring that there would be as little lag as possible.

Will we see a production version of the twin-turbo Mustang Cobra Jet Concept in the future? Perhaps, especially as the next generation Mustang has long been rumored to get an EcoBoost engine. Until then, check out the plethora of photos (both live and stock) of the car as well as a video of the Cobra Jet in action below.

Continue reading Ford Racing debuts twin-turbo Mustang Cobra Jet Concept [w/video]

Ford Racing debuts twin-turbo Mustang Cobra Jet Concept [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cobra jetcobra jet conceptfordford racingmustangmustang cobra jetsemasema 2012twin-turbo mustangTue, 30 Oct 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorsports: The sights and sounds of the Nissan DeltaWing at Petit Le Mans [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/24/the-sights-and-sounds-of-the-nissan-deltawing-at-petit-le-mans/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/24/the-sights-and-sounds-of-the-nissan-deltawing-at-petit-le-mans/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/24/the-sights-and-sounds-of-the-nissan-deltawing-at-petit-le-mans/#commentsFiled under: ,

Nissan DeltaWing at Petit Le Mans

After being sideswiped at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June and suffering a a similar accident during a practice session last week, the Nissan DeltaWing was in danger of becoming known for its crashes more than its racing prowess or unique appearance. That's why we hoped the racecar, competing in only its second race, would finish the 1,000-mile endurance madness of Petit Le Mans.

Thankfully, the Nissan/Highcroft Racing team did more than just that on Saturday, running a flawless race at Road Atlanta and finishing in fifth place overall. The result could have been even higher if pass-around periods during full course cautions would have gone the team's way.

Despite finishing in the top 10 in qualifying, the DeltaWing was relegated to the back of the grid for the start of the race thanks to its unclassified status, but that changed quickly as the car went from 42nd to 8th in its first stint.

Drivers Lucas Ordonez and Gunnar Jeannette drove a smooth and steady race up to fifth place, the car's speed and efficiency helping greatly here. The DeltaWing has just half the weight and half the aerodynamic drag of a typical ALMS prototype, meaning the team could go further between pit stops and change tires less often.

Scroll down below to watch a video detailing the DeltaWing's historic finish at Petit Le Mans or check out our photos from the race in the gallery above.

Continue reading The sights and sounds of the Nissan DeltaWing at Petit Le Mans [w/video]

The sights and sounds of the Nissan DeltaWing at Petit Le Mans [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deltawingnissannissan deltawingpetit le mansvideosWed, 24 Oct 2012 12:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorsports: 2012 ALMS champions crowned at Petit Le Mans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/22/2012-alms-champions-crowned-at-petit-le-mans/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/22/2012-alms-champions-crowned-at-petit-le-mans/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/22/2012-alms-champions-crowned-at-petit-le-mans/#commentsFiled under:

2012 Petit Le Mans

The American Le Mans Series headed to Braselton, GA this past weekend for the 15th annual Petit Le Mans and the conclusion of its 2012 season. While some of the championships had already been decided earlier in the season - the Corvette team had already captured the manufacturer, team and driver championships for the GT class prior to the race, for example - there were still several titles up for grabs. The Muscle Milk Pickett Racing team, having dominated much of the ALMS season in the fastest P1 class, needed to finish just 70 percent of the race distance to take home the crown, as did the Level 5 Motorsports team in P2.

While Petit Le Mans remains one of the most important events on the North American motorsports calendar, there were some big names absent from the field at Road Atlanta. Peugeot, having dropped funding for its Le Mans program, wouldn't be around to defend their overall wins from the past three years. Audi, with the World Endurance Championship dropping Petit Le Mans from their calendar and no Peugeot to battle, decided to forgo the trip across the Atlantic as well.

Even so, the field of cars for Petit Le Mans remained strong thanks to the European Le Mans series making the 1,000 mile endurance race their season finale as well. The Europeans proved to be quick, with the Rebellion Racing Lola-Toyota taking the overall pole position and the Morgan-Nissan of Oak Racing took the top qualifying spot in P2.

Adding some extra flair to this year's race was the addition of the Nissan DeltaWing, making its first competition appearance in North America. Despite having a scary crash on Wednesday and undergoing extensive repairs, the DeltaWing proved to have significant pace throughout practice and qualifying.

Scroll down for a full race report from the 2012 Petit Le Mans, and check out our exhaustive gallery of high-res images above.

Continue reading 2012 ALMS champions crowned at Petit Le Mans

2012 ALMS champions crowned at Petit Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Oct 2012 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 petit le mansalmsamerican le mans seriesdeltawinggt classlmp1lmp2nissannissan deltawingpetit le mansMon, 22 Oct 2012 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorsports: Running order set for 2012 Petit Le Mans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/19/running-order-set-for-2012-petit-le-mans/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/19/running-order-set-for-2012-petit-le-mans/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/19/running-order-set-for-2012-petit-le-mans/#commentsFiled under:

2012 Petit Le Mans Qualifying

The 15th running of Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta is slated for this weekend, and there promises to be plenty of exciting racing in the last event of the American Le Mans Series. Despite being dropped from the World Endurance Championship in favor of the 6 Hours of Bahrain, the field of cars remains bountiful thanks to the European Le Mans Series joining in and making the 10-hour endurance race its series finale as well.

To set the starting order for tomorrow's race, each of the teams ran a 15 minute qualifying session this afternoon split up by class.

In P1 the Rebellion Racing Lola-Toyota qualified on pole, just ahead of the Muscle Milk Racing HPD ARX-03a that has dominated the class in ALMS this year. Rebillion Racing finished 5th in last year's event and are looking to add a victory at Petit Le Mans to their extensive list of wins already achieved this year.

In the hotly contested GT class it was a pair of Extreme Speed Ferrari 458 Italias leading the way in a 1-2, followed by BMW and Corvette. The SRT Viper team, constantly improving since their debut at Mid-Ohio, qualified in 6th and 10th.

After being extensively repaired from Wednesday's crash, the Nissan DeltaWing posted a qualifying time on par with the P2 class, netting a fast lap of 1:12.850, eight-tenths off the quickest P2 car.

Check out the complete list of qualifying times here (PDF), and check out our photos from the practice and qualifying sessions in the gallery above.

Running order set for 2012 Petit Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Oct 2012 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>almsamerican le manspetit le manspetit le mans 2012road atlantaFri, 19 Oct 2012 19:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorsports: Nissan DeltaWing repaired and ready for action at Petit Le Mans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/18/nissan-deltawing-repaired-and-ready-for-action-at-petit-le-mans/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/18/nissan-deltawing-repaired-and-ready-for-action-at-petit-le-mans/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/18/nissan-deltawing-repaired-and-ready-for-action-at-petit-le-mans/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Nissan DeltaWing at Petit Le Mans

After first watching the scary crash of the Nissan DeltaWing at Road Atlanta yesterday, we were worried that the one-off racecar wouldn't be ready for Petit Le Mans on Saturday. We needn't have worried, though, as the car has been quickly repaired by the Highcroft Racing Team in plenty of time. In fact, the car will be running in the night practice session later today and in the practice and qualifying sessions tomorrow.

The quick turnaround is due to the fact that the crash didn't cause as much damage to the car as initially thought. Ben Bowlby, the car's designer, tells us that while the accident looked severe it didn't compromise the integrity of the chassis.

"There was skin damage to an enormous number of parts - both sides of the nose, the side pods, the tail, one mirror - were all damaged, but the chassis wasn't other than a few scratches," he tells us.

The suspension system and engine have also been swapped out so as to have a fresh start before the race. In all the repairs took right around 24 hours.

You can see our photos of the fully repaired Nissan DeltaWing in the gallery above, and check back this weekend for more coverage of the car and Petit Le Mans.

Nissan DeltaWing repaired and ready for action at Petit Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 19:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deltawingnissannissan deltawingpetit le manspetit le mans 2012Thu, 18 Oct 2012 19:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Racer Paul Brown passes away at age 43]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/17/racer-paul-brown-passes-away-at-age-43/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/17/racer-paul-brown-passes-away-at-age-43/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/17/racer-paul-brown-passes-away-at-age-43/#commentsFiled under:



The motorsports community lost one of its best this past week. Paul Brown, 43, succumbed to his battle with skin cancer on Saturday, less than eight months after he was initially diagnosed with the disease. Not only a talented driver, Brown was known for his kindness, work ethic, sense of humor and love of the sport.

Son of famed racer Kenny Brown, Paul began his motorsports career at the age of 16 competing in autocross events before later moving to the SCCA World Challenge in which he competed for nearly twenty years. He finished in the top ten in over half of the races he entered.

The highlight of Brown's racing career came in 2011 when he dominated the GTS class of the SCCA World Challenge, winning five races, capturing nine top-five finishes and leading more laps than all other drivers combined.

Brown was diagnosed with cancer in March of 2011, just a few weeks before the start of the racing season. While Derek Bell took over driving duties for the majority of the races, Brown got behind the wheel one more time in June and managed to capture a podium finish.

Brown leaves behind a multitude of family members including his wife and fellow racer Carol Hollfelder. Scroll down below to read more about Paul Brown's life and racing career.

Continue reading Racer Paul Brown passes away at age 43

Racer Paul Brown passes away at age 43 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>paul brownscca world challengeWed, 17 Oct 2012 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorsports: Formula Drift crowns its 2012 champion]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/15/formula-drift-crowns-its-2012-champion/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/15/formula-drift-crowns-its-2012-champion/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/15/formula-drift-crowns-its-2012-champion/#commentsFiled under:

Daigo Saito Lexus SC430

Coming into the last event of the Formula Drift season no less than seven drivers had a chance at winning the championship. Vaughn Gittin Jr., the 2010 champion, was the odds-on favorite, entering the final with a size points lead gained from back-to-back wins earlier in the season, but other drivers like veteran Rhys Millen, last years champion Daijiro Yoshihara, rookie Daigo Saito and Gittin's fellow Mustang driver Justin Pawlak were all in the hunt.

It was a packed house at Irwindale Speedway in Southern California to watch the finale - for the first time in the event's history all tickets were sold out before the competition even began.

The drivers put on quite a show for the capacity crowd, and Vaughn Gittin Jr. made things interesting by getting knocked out early in the competition. That left the door open for Rhys Millen and Daigo Saito to take the overall points lead. While Millen managed to make the semi finals, it was Saito who took full advantage, beating out every driver he faced in heads-up competition in his 1,200 horsepower Lexus SC430. The first place finish not only gave him the most coveted win in the Formula Drift schedule, but the overall championship as well in his first season. This perhaps makes him the most highly rated drifter in the world, having already won the Formula Drift Asia championship as well as a D1 championship.

You can read the official press release below or check out our photos from the event in the gallery above.

Continue reading Formula Drift crowns its 2012 champion

Formula Drift crowns its 2012 champion originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daigo saitoformula dformula driftformula drift championshipvaughn gittin jrMon, 15 Oct 2012 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Shelby announces 2013 GT500 Super Snake with up to 850 horsepower]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/19/shelby-announces-2013-gt500-super-snake-with-up-to-850-horsepowe/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/19/shelby-announces-2013-gt500-super-snake-with-up-to-850-horsepowe/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/19/shelby-announces-2013-gt500-super-snake-with-up-to-850-horsepowe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2013 Shelby GT500 Super Snake - front three-quarter view, tilted

When Shelby first launched the GT500 Super Snake in 2007 (or relaunched, if you consider the one-off 1967 prototype), the 5.4-liter supercharged V8 was boosted all the way up to... wait for it... 600 horsepower. Fast-forward just five years and the muscle car landscape looks quite different. The 2013 Shelby GT500 now comes with 662 tire-shredding horsepower from the factory.

To their credit, Shelby American has kept pace the past few years, introducing an 800-horsepower Super Snake and the almighty Shelby 1000. The latest Super Snake model takes things another step further, offering up an incredible 850 horsepower. If that's too much to handle, customers can opt out of the supercharger upgrade and stick with the factory 662 ponies.

Of course, there's more to the Super Snake than just raw horsepower. The post-title package includes items like upgraded front and rear brakes, Borla exhaust, sport suspension, Shelby-designed 20-inch wheels and a beefier cooling package. There's also the signature stripes, fiberglass hood and an optional widebody kit that allows for wider wheels and tires.

In total the Super Snake package will lighten your wallet by $28,995, not including the base GT500, or $39,995 if you opt for the 850 horsepower version.

Scroll down below to read the official details from Shelby.

Continue reading Shelby announces 2013 GT500 Super Snake with up to 850 horsepower

Shelby announces 2013 GT500 Super Snake with up to 850 horsepower originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 shelby gt5002013 shelby gt500 super snakecarroll shelbyfordgt500mustangshelbyshelby gt500 super snakesuper snakeWed, 19 Sep 2012 11:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Lexus previews LF-CC Concept ahead of Paris debut]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/17/lexus-previews-lf-cc-concept-ahead-of-paris-debut/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/17/lexus-previews-lf-cc-concept-ahead-of-paris-debut/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/17/lexus-previews-lf-cc-concept-ahead-of-paris-debut/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Lexus LF-CC Concept

The Lexus LF-CC, a new two-door hybrid coupe concept, will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show later this month. Featuring the L-finesse design language seen on the LF-LC Concept that debuted in Detroit back in January, the LF-CC Concept is likely a preview of the next-generation Lexus IS that will be introduced in the near future.

While its still unclear how much of the styling will make it to a future production vehicle, particularly the bold iteration of the spindle grille, triple LED headlights and intricate taillights, the overall design of the LF-CC looks to be easily transferred over to a road-going Lexus.

Hybrid models have become commonplace throughout the Lexus lineup over the past few years, most recently with the ES, and now it appears the IS will be getting a fuel-sipping variation as well. Under the hood, the LF-CC features a new 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain, one that Lexus says will be used throughout its model lineup in the future, with various technologies to further reduce fuel consumption.

Scroll down for the press release from Lexus and check back next week for more details and photos as part of our live coverage of the Paris Motor Show.


Lexus previews LF-CC Concept ahead of Paris debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 09:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 paris motor showlexuslexus lf-cc conceptlf-cc conceptparis 2012paris motor showMon, 17 Sep 2012 09:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: SRT Viper GTS-R stars in Forza's September Car Pack [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/06/srt-viper-gts-r-stars-in-forzas-september-car-pack-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/06/srt-viper-gts-r-stars-in-forzas-september-car-pack-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/06/srt-viper-gts-r-stars-in-forzas-september-car-pack-w-video/#commentsFiled under: ,

SRT Viper GTS-R Forza Car Pack

Forza Motorsport added the 2013 SRT Viper to its extensive collection of cars as part of a free DLC back in June, but with the launch of the Viper GTS-R in ALMS this summer we knew it was only a matter of time before the racing snake would be included in the game. That time has come, as both the #91 #93 Viper GTS-R race cars headline Forza's September Car Pack.

In addition to the Viper GTS-R duo the September Car Pack includes some pretty desirable classic vehicles as well. The 1968 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, 1960 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato and 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR are all on the list, as well some oddities like the 1983 GMC Vandura G-1500 aka the A-Team van.

You can see the full list of cars included in the Forza September Car Pack below as well as a video trailer showing the Viper GTS-R in action in the game.

Continue reading SRT Viper GTS-R stars in Forza's September Car Pack [w/video]

SRT Viper GTS-R stars in Forza's September Car Pack [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Sep 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>forzaforza 4forza motorsportforza september car packsrtsrt vipersrt viper gts-rThu, 06 Sep 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Monterey: One-off 2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra debuts as tribute to Carroll]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/17/one-off-2013-shelby-gt500-cobra-debuts-as-tribute-to-carroll/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/17/one-off-2013-shelby-gt500-cobra-debuts-as-tribute-to-carroll/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/17/one-off-2013-shelby-gt500-cobra-debuts-as-tribute-to-carroll/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The Monterey Peninsula is celebrating all things Shelby this week as part of the company's 50th anniversary celebration. The Cobra in particular will be a part of many events including the Pebble Beach Concours and the Monterey Motorsports Reunion happening at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

The Shelby celebration is also especially meaningful since founder Carroll Shelby passed away back in May. As a tribute to the legendary racer and car builder, Shelby American, Ford Motor Company and Ford Racing have teamed up to build a very special tribute Mustang. Called the 2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra, the car features a custom widened body that fits massive 13-inch-wide wheels fitted with a set of 345-series tires. All of that extra traction is quite necessary, as a 4.0-liter Whipple supercharger has been fitted atop the 5.8-liter V8 to produce 850 horsepower. The look of the car is completed with traditional Shelby livery: Guardsman Blue with Wimbledon White stripes.

The 2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra is currently on display at the Monterey Motorsports Reunion this weekend, and Shelby says that they plan to tour the car around the country for the next several months before it will be auctioned off for charity. Scroll down to read the official announcement from Shelby.

Continue reading One-off 2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra debuts as tribute to Carroll

One-off 2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra debuts as tribute to Carroll originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 shelby gt5002013 shelby gt500 cobracarroll shelbygt500montereymonterey 2012pebble beachpebble beach 2012pebble beach concours deleganceshelbyFri, 17 Aug 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Watch Monster Tajima's new electric race car whir up Pikes Peak]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/15/watch-monster-tajimas-new-electric-race-car-whir-up-pikes-peak/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/15/watch-monster-tajimas-new-electric-race-car-whir-up-pikes-peak/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/15/watch-monster-tajimas-new-electric-race-car-whir-up-pikes-peak/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The car we were most excited to see at this year's Pikes Peak Hill Climb was undoubtedly Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima's new one-off electric racer. The radically styled car, called the 2012 Monster Sport E-Runner Pikes Peak Special, represents a new challenge for the Japanese racer, who has won the event every since since 2007 and has set the overall course record twice including last year.

Of course, with a new race car comes unexpected problems. While Tajima managed to run each of the practice days trouble-free - and fast - he sadly wasn't able to complete the race this past weekend due to electrical problems. His quest to remain king of the mountain and hold the best time not only the Electric division but overall will have to wait until next year.

Monster's time on the mountain wasn't completely fruitless, though, as he came away with some great footage of his practice runs from various angles on the car courtesy of GoPro. Scroll down to watch the videos for yourself.

Continue reading Watch Monster Tajima's new electric race car whir up Pikes Peak

Watch Monster Tajima's new electric race car whir up Pikes Peak originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 pikes peak hill climbmonster sportmonster sport e-runnermonster tajimapikes peakpikes peak 2012pikes peak hill climbvideoWed, 15 Aug 2012 12:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorsports: Records, snow fall at the 2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/13/records-snow-fall-at-the-2012-pikes-peak-hill-climb/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/13/records-snow-fall-at-the-2012-pikes-peak-hill-climb/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/13/records-snow-fall-at-the-2012-pikes-peak-hill-climb/#commentsFiled under:

Rhys Millen 2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb

When it comes to Pikes Peak, expect the unexpected. The legendary mountain is known for its ever-changing conditions, and one driving up to the top might experience warm sunshine and a snow storm all in a matter of minutes. That was the case this past weekend at the 90th annual Pikes Peak Hill Climb when race officials were forced to shorten the course due to snow, rain and near-freezing temperatures at the finish line on the summit. It is only one of three times since 1916 that the length of the race has been shortened.

Thankfully many of the drivers and riders did get to fully complete their runs up the 12.42-mile, 156-turn course, and due to the new fully paved course the times were faster than ever. Last year, Monster Tajima was the first to break the ten-minute barrier on the mountain, but it was clear early on that his record would fall. Romain Dumas, a winner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans but a rookie at Pikes Peak, blasted past the finish line in 9:46.181 in a Porsche 911 GT3R, setting a new record for the course.

The record didn't stand long, however, as Rhys Millen, driving his 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe race car, completed the course in 9:46.164 - just 17/1000s of a second ahead of Dumas.

Continue reading Records, snow fall at the 2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb

Records, snow fall at the 2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012+pikes+peak+hill+climb2012pikespeakhillclimbpikes peakpikes peak 2012pikes peak hill climbpikes peak hill climb 2012pikes peak international hill climbrhys millenMon, 13 Aug 2012 14:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorsports: 2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Practice Day 3 saves the best for last]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/10/2012-pikes-peak-hill-climb-practice-day-3-saves-the-best-for-la/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/10/2012-pikes-peak-hill-climb-practice-day-3-saves-the-best-for-la/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/10/2012-pikes-peak-hill-climb-practice-day-3-saves-the-best-for-la/#commentsFiled under:

2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb

For the first two practice days of this year's Pikes Peak Hill Climb, we spent our time on the bottom third of the mountain, first checking out the new contenders of the Electric Division, including Monster Tajima's E-Runner, and for the second day catching up with the old and new faces of the Unlimited and Time Attack classes.

For the third and final practice day we headed up the mountain to the middle section of the course that encompasses many of its switchbacks. Our decision was two-fold, first to continue following the diverse selection of Unlimited and Time Attack cars, and second to take in what we consider the most beautiful section of the mountain. This portion of the road is undoubtedly the most dangerous with few guardrails and sheer drop-offs, but it's also the most visually stunning. Standing well above the tree line and just below Devil's Playground, named for the lightning bolts that jump from rock to rock during thunderstorms, one can see a large portion of the course hundreds of feet below. It's a scene that's unrivaled in any form of motorsport, enhanced further by fantastic Colorado sunrises that usher in each day's practice session.

Pikes Peak Dacia DusterPikes Peak Rhys Millen Hyundai Genesis Coupe

The competitors didn't disappoint those in attendance, blasting up each switchback at a furious pace, although it was evident that some cars were showing signs of struggling in the thin air of the higher elevations. Paul Dallenbach and Frenchman Jean-Philippe Dayraut continued their battle for fastest time in the Unlimited class, although it looks like the Frenchman currently has a slight edge on the Colorado native. While Dallenbach's home-built twin-turbo race car surely has more power, Dayraut's Dacia Duster looks to have the edge in handling.

Rhys Millen looked dominate in the Time Attack division in his 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, and while results have yet to be posted from today's session we're confident he's at the top of the charts. Assuming Millen doesn't suffer any of the problems that plagued him over the last few years, he's a sure bet to set a new record in the class come race day.

You can see our photos from the third practice day of this year's Pikes Peak Hill Climb in the gallery above, and check back next week for Sunday's final race results.

2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Practice Day 3 saves the best for last originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Aug 2012 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pikes peakpikes peak 2012pikes peak hill climbpikes peak hill climb 2012pikes peak international hill climbFri, 10 Aug 2012 19:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorsports: 2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Practice Day 2 brings out the big guns [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/09/2012-pikes-peak-hill-climb-practice-day-2/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/09/2012-pikes-peak-hill-climb-practice-day-2/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/09/2012-pikes-peak-hill-climb-practice-day-2/#commentsFiled under:



During the first practice day of the 2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb we checked out Monster Tajima's new electric-powered E-runner and watched the Vintage and Exhibition divisions roar up the mountain. Our second day, however, was reserved for the fastest of the groups - Unlimited, Time Attack and Open Wheel - which were running in the bottom portion of the course that determines qualifying times.

While one might think that the Unlimited class would be less interesting without Monster Tajima and Rhys Millen in the mix, this year's grouping is perhaps more intriguing than ever. Two Ford RS200s are entered this year, Lovefab Motorsports has brought its radical 850-horsepower Acura NSX and the open-cockpit Palatov Motorsport D4 Pikes Peak Special is making its debut.

Some of the usual names have come back as well. Paul Dallenbach is aiming to take down the overall record once again with an updated version of his turbocharged 1,400-horsepower winged monster, and Jean-Philippe Dayraut has returned for a second year with his Nissan GT-R-powered Dacia Duster. The Frenchman looked quick enough to easily improve on his overall time of 10:17.707 set last year, setting the fastest time of the day with segment time of 3:54.96. Dallenbach was second fastest with a time of 3:59.70, followed by David Donner in the Palatov Motorsport entry with a 4:10.31.

2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb

Returning to Time Attack (2WD and AWD have been combined for 2012) after competing in the Unlimited division for the last two years, Rhys Millen is looking to take back the class record set by his father, Rod Millen, last year. To do so he's brought an updated version of his Hyundai Genesis Coupe race car fitted with a new engine and wider body that can fit larger tires. The changes seem to have made a positive effect, as Millen blew away the Time Attack competition with a segment time of 4:06.24 - the fourth fastest of any class. Four-time SCCA World Challenge GT champion Randy Pobst was second fastest, putting in a run of 4:22.75 in his 2001 Audi A4, followed by David Kern's 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution with a 4:25.23.

We'll have more coverage of the Unlimited and Time Attack classes when they take on the middle section of the course tomorrow morning for the third and final practice day. Until then, browse through our photos from today in the gallery above and check out the video of Millen's qualifying run below.

Continue reading 2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Practice Day 2 brings out the big guns [w/video]

2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Practice Day 2 brings out the big guns [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 pikes peak hill climbpikes peakpikes peak 2012pikes peak hill climbpikes peak international hill climbpikes+peak+hill+climb+2012pikespeakhillclimb2012Thu, 09 Aug 2012 19:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorsports: 2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Practice Day 1 is the beginning of a new era]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/08/pikes-peak-hill-climb-practice-day-1-is-the-beginning-of-a-new/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/08/pikes-peak-hill-climb-practice-day-1-is-the-beginning-of-a-new/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/08/pikes-peak-hill-climb-practice-day-1-is-the-beginning-of-a-new/#commentsFiled under:

2012 Monster Sport E-Runner Pikes Peak Special

2012 marks a special year for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. For the first time in the event's 96-year history, the entire course is paved, beginning a new era in the Race to the Clouds. While many are bemoaning the loss of the gravel and dirt (us included - the dirt was great for photography), the fresh pavement is bringing plenty of new faces and cars to the event. Interest in this year's hill climb was so great that organizers are contemplating expanding the event to two days for 2013.

Much of the new vehicles for this year are in the Electric division. Normally filled with one or two entrants, this class features some of the most interesting cars this year, including two Mitsubishi iMiEVs, a prototype from Toyota Motorsports GmbH and a BMW E36 M3 converted by EV West. The biggest news, however, is that reigning Unlimited Class champion Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima has swapped out his Suzuki SX4 Hill Climb Special for an all-new machine called the Monster Sport E-Runner. Our curiosity about this incredible looking vehicle was so great that we skipped out on our usual subjects from the Unlimited and Time Attack divisions to see the new electric racer in action along with the Pikes Peak Open, Stock Car, Exhibition and Vintage classes.

2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb

The Japanese driver didn't disappoint, setting blistering times of 4:14.8 and 4:13.3 in the two practice sessions. To compare, Tajima set times of 4:45.9 and 4:33.8 last year, albeit those were partially on dirt.

Unfortunately, another driver in the Electric division didn't fare so well. Hiroshi Masuoka, driving the Mitsubishi i-MiEV Evolution, overshot a corner and crashed in the second practice session.

Also of note is the Porsche 911 GT3R being driven by Frenchman Romain Dumas in the Pikes Peak Open division, the Lexus IS F CCS-R being driven by Ken Gushi and a mean looking Lister Knoop/Mann Special being driven by Rick Knoop in the Exhibition class.

You can see our photos from the first practice day of the 2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb in the gallery above. Check back tomorrow to see our coverage of what's new in the Unlimited and Time Attack classes.

2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Practice Day 1 is the beginning of a new era originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 pikes peak hill climbmonster tajimapikes peakpikes peak 2012pikes peak hill climbpikes+peak+hill+climb+2012pikespeakhillclimb2012Wed, 08 Aug 2012 19:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorsports: Mitsubishi i-MiEV Evolution crashes on first practice day of Pikes Peak Hill Climb]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/08/mitsubishi-imiev-evolution-crashes-on-first-practice-day-of-pike/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/08/mitsubishi-imiev-evolution-crashes-on-first-practice-day-of-pike/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/08/mitsubishi-imiev-evolution-crashes-on-first-practice-day-of-pike/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mitsubishi i-MiEV Evolution Crash

Mitsubishi had high hopes for this year's Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, entering a production i-MiEV and a radical racing version called the i-MiEV Evolution into the ever-growing Electric Division. We had our eye on the Evolution model in particular, as the car was specially developed for the hill climb with a tube-frame chassis, sleek carbon fiber body and an all-wheel-drive system.

Things haven't started quite as Mitsubishi planned, though, with the i-MiEV Evolution crashing during today's second practice session on the lower third of Pikes Peak. The car overshot one of the many hairpins on the course, ending up in a ditch several feet off the road. There's no word on whether the incident was due to a mechanical problem or driver error, but the car looks to be pretty heavily damaged. Fortunately, driver Hiroshi Masuoka, one of Mitsubishi's test drivers and two-time Dakar Rally winner, was unhurt in the accident.

We don't know whether the crew at Mitsubishi will be able to repair the car in time for this weekend's race, but we hope to see it on the mountain come Sunday.

Mitsubishi i-MiEV Evolution crashes on first practice day of Pikes Peak Hill Climb originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 pikes peak hill climbi-miev evolutionmitsubishimitsubishi i-miev evolutionpikes peakpikes peak 2012pikes peak hill climbpikes peak international hill climbWed, 08 Aug 2012 15:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Completed Bugatti Type 64 Coupe to make debut at Quail Motorsports Gathering]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/08/completed-bugatti-type-64-coupe-to-make-debut-at-quail-motorspor/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/08/completed-bugatti-type-64-coupe-to-make-debut-at-quail-motorspor/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/08/completed-bugatti-type-64-coupe-to-make-debut-at-quail-motorspor/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Bugatti Type 64 Coupe

If you're one of the Autoblog faithful you might remember our story on the Bugatti Type 64 Coupe chassis on display at the Mullin Automotive Museum, one of just three built by the French carmaker before the death of Jean Bugatti. At the time, we told you the museum had plans to finalize the construction of the car with custom coachwork - only one example received bodywork from the factory - and now that time has finally come to unveil the finished product. Today it was announced that a "virtually completed" car will make its debut later this month at the Quail Motorsports Gathering in Monterey.

"We've dedicated much of our efforts at the Museum to honor the Bugatti family and the marque, but never have we done something of this scale," said Peter Mullin, Chairman of the Mullin Automotive Museum. "I cannot imagine a greater token of respect to the Bugatti family than to help finish Jean Bugatti's beloved final masterpiece."

We'll have live photos of the completed Bugatti Type 64 Coupe as part of our extensive Monterey coverage next week. Want to see the car in person for yourself? The museum says it will have also have the car on display at their facility in Oxnard, CA later this year.

Scroll down below to read the official announcement from the Mullin Museum.

Continue reading Completed Bugatti Type 64 Coupe to make debut at Quail Motorsports Gathering

Completed Bugatti Type 64 Coupe to make debut at Quail Motorsports Gathering originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 quail motorsports gatheringbugattibugatti type 64bugatti type 64 coupemontereymonterey 2012mullin automotive museummullin museumquail motorsports gatheringtype 64Wed, 08 Aug 2012 11:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Auctions: 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder added to RM's Monterey auction]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/1962-ferrari-250-gt-swb-california-spyder-added-to-rms-monterey/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/1962-ferrari-250-gt-swb-california-spyder-added-to-rms-monterey/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/1962-ferrari-250-gt-swb-california-spyder-added-to-rms-monterey/#commentsFiled under: , ,

1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder - red - three-quarter studio view

The Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder may have been introduced to the mainstream by the classic 1986 John Hughes' film Ferris Bueller's Day Off (of course, that car was a replica), but the iconic convertible has long been one of the most desirable collector cars for those in the know. With a little over 100 built, California Spyders rarely come up for sale, and when they do, they bring big money. Back in 2008, a 1961 model set a record for a car sold at auction with a $10.9 million price tag.

Those wanting to add a 250 GT California Spyder to their collection (and have the means) will have a chance later this month in Monterey, with a 1962 SWB (Short Wheel Base) model crossing the block at RM Auctions' event. One of just 37 SWB cars with the more desirable enclosed headlight design, the car is finished in Rosso Corsa paint and has a tan leather interior. Under the hood is Ferrari's legendary 3.0-liter V12, the same powerplant in the 250 GTO. RM estimates the value of the car to be in the $7.5-9 million range.

Scroll down to read the official announcement from RM, and check back in a few weeks for our complete Monterey coverage including results from the auction.

Continue reading 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder added to RM's Monterey auction

1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder added to RM's Monterey auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1962 ferrari 250 gt swbferrariferrari 250 gt californiaferrari 250 gt swbferrari californiaferris buellerferris buellers day offmontereymonterey 2012rmrm auctionsrm monterey auctionMon, 06 Aug 2012 19:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorsports: Ford Mustang race teams sit out Mid-Ohio race in protest of SCCA rules [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/ford-mustang-race-teams-sit-out-mid-ohio-race-in-protest-of-scca/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/ford-mustang-race-teams-sit-out-mid-ohio-race-in-protest-of-scca/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/ford-mustang-race-teams-sit-out-mid-ohio-race-in-protest-of-scca/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ford Mustang Boss 302S on track

The Ford Mustang Boss 302S race car dominated the inaugural season of the GTS class in the SCCA World Challenge, with Paul Brown of the Tiger Racing team winning five races and capturing the driver's championship. That wasn't necessarily a surprise, though, as the class was developed in part for the turn-key race car. This season, Ford's pony car hasn't had nearly as much success, however, with a Mustang driver not standing atop the podium since the first race and the highest ranking team currently sitting 6th in the standings.

The frustration of the Mustang teams came to a head this past weekend at Mid-Ohio when their quickest car finished in 10th place in Saturday's race. To compound their problems, seven of the Mustang race cars had overheating issues, a problem that the teams say is due to the small air restrictors mandated for the Mustang by the SCCA. Tiger Racing experienced two engine failures, while another driver experienced temperatures so high in the cabin that the rubber soles of his shoes melted.

In protest, each of the Mustang teams decided to sit out Sunday's race, parking their cars in pit lane after the initial formation lap. "The Mustang owners and drivers collectively and unanimously feel that the SCCA's method of creating parity is not working and leaves the Mustang with a significant handicap in many areas, and an advantage in NO area," said the teams in a collective statement released yesterday. "The Boss Mustang teams held meetings with series officials throughout the Mid-Ohio event in an attempt to regain some level of competitiveness, but those discussions proved fruitless. The teams collectively felt that their voices were not being heard and staged a protest to bring more attention to this matter."

Scroll down to read the official announcement or watch Justin Bell, driver of the Tiger Racing Mustang Boss 302S, talk about the protest.

Continue reading Ford Mustang race teams sit out Mid-Ohio race in protest of SCCA rules [w/video]

Ford Mustang race teams sit out Mid-Ohio race in protest of SCCA rules [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford mustang boss 302boss 302boss 302sfordford mustang boss 302sjustin bellmid-ohiomustangscca world challengeMon, 06 Aug 2012 11:01:00 EST