Autoblog

Video: Trio of FIA GT4 Lotus racers at the 'Ring

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Convertible, Performance, Videos, Lotus, Racing

Lotus running the FIA GT4 Championship at The 'Ring - Click above to watch videos after the jump

PistonClash Productions has done its thing at the Nürburgring again, this time capturing some of the best of Lotus racing the FIA GT4 Championship. A pair of 2-Elevens and an Evora play the starring roles, with the sounds of race exhaust, rain, passing and a little bit of driver commentary for support.

You'll find a teaser, a short and a ten-minute doc after the jump. Enjoy. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

[Source: PistonClash via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Trio of FIA GT4 Lotus racers at the 'Ring

Video: Trio of FIA GT4 Lotus racers at the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin Racing launches one-make Vantage GT4 series in UK

Noah Joseph — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Europe, Aston Martin, UK, Racing

Aston Martin Vantage GT4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Single-make customer racing series are an engaging experience for exotic sportscar-makers and their customers. Ferrari's Challenge series dates back to the 348 (succeeded since by the 355, 360 and 430, soon to be replaced by the 458). Porsche's Supercup series has been at it since the early '90s and Lamborghini launched its own Super Trofeo championship just a couple of years ago. Even Maserati's getting in on the game with its new GranTurismo MC. But despite its extensive competition in the various Le Mans Series around the world, Aston Martin has been decidedly absent from the spec-racing scene, the one exception being the company's Asia Cup that started in 2008. But that's all about to change.

To give the broad base of customers who already own race-spec Vantages a chance to get back on track against equal machinery, Aston is launching its own British GT4 Challenge. The series is open to the Vantage GT4 and N24, and will run this year at five tracks across the UK (including Silverstone) plus one at Belgium's famous Spa Francorchamps.

GT4-spec Vantage owners pony up a reasonable £12,950 (about twenty grand American) for the season, which includes hospitality, driving suits and full paddock support from Aston Martin Racing. Fuel and tires are extra, but Aston's trackside support will be so extensive that they'll even install a replacement engine on the spot in case you blow yours out. The 4.3-liter N24 owners feeling underpowered can also upgrade to the GT4's 4.7-liter engine to keep pace.

While the winner of the existing Asia Cup earn a fully-sponsored season in the FIA GT4 Championship, the British champion gets a crack at test driving either the Vantage GT2 or DBRS9 GT3. Now all we need is for Aston to launch a series in North America and we'll be set.

Gallery: Aston Martin Racing Vantage GT4

Gallery: Aston Martin V8 Vantage N24

[Source: PistonHeads]

Aston Martin Racing launches one-make Vantage GT4 series in UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Donkervoort tweaks the D8 GT for 24-hour race debut in Dubai

Noah Joseph — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Audi, Specialty, Middle East, MISC, Racing

2010 Donkervoort D8 GT(4) endurance racer - Click above for high-res image gallery

While fanatics around the world debate the supremacy of one sportscar over another based on numbers alone, here at Autoblog we postulate that such exotic machinery is only as good as its capacity to transport you to another place, if not in body then in your mind. So bear with us and imagine the following scenario: You're based in Holland. You've created what could be the ultimate neo-Lotus 7, and with it you've already placed in a major racing series. So where do you go next? Why, to Dubai, of course!

We're talking about the Donkervoort D8 GT, undoubtedly one of the most futuristically phallic retro road rockets on the street or track today. We got our first glimpse three years ago, and took a closer look in Geneva back in 2007, before production began last year. The 1400-pound cab-rearward track tool packs an Audi-sourced 1.8-liter turbo four driving 270 horsepower to the rear wheels. That's enough power to sixty in less than four seconds.

With the D8 GT, the Dutch manufacturer has already taken second place in the FIA GT4 European Cup, and it is now heading to its first 24-hour race at the Dubai Autodrome on the shores of the Persian Gulf. To prepare for the event, Donkervoort has tweaked the fuel system, the brakes, the aerodynamics, the carbon-fiber sandwich panels and aluminum chassis to create the D8 GT(4). The results ought to be interesting as the 24 Hours of Dubai kicks off in mid-January, but you can check it out now in the gallery below and the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Donkervoort D8 GT endurance racer

[Source: Donkervoort]

Continue reading Donkervoort tweaks the D8 GT for 24-hour race debut in Dubai

Donkervoort tweaks the D8 GT for 24-hour race debut in Dubai originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford wants Mustangs to race in Europe, will face the Ford GT

John Neff — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 15:03:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Ford

click above image to view high-res photos of the FR500C and FR500GT for your desktop

As we've said in the past, the Mustang is Ford's ace in the hole. The current model is a bonafide smash hit, being recognized and revered the world over. So it makes perfect sense that if fans in other parts of the world can't buy the reigning pony car king, then at least they should be able to watch it race. Ford is expected to officially announce that it's already begun the homologation process for both its Ford Racing Mustang FR500C "Boy Racer" and Mustang FR500GT "Man Racer" to race in FIA GT4 and GT3 competitions, respectively. The FR500C has more than proven its on-track prowess in North American motorsports, where it currently is being run by many private teams in the Grand Am KONI Challenge Series. The more powerful FR500GT has yet to officially go racing, but there are hopes for a spec series to be run in conjunction with the 2008 Champ Car schedule. The homologation of both vehicles to meet FIA regulations is being handled by Canada-based Multimatic Motorsports, which developed the FR500GT in conjunction for Ford Racing.

But wait, the FR500GT will see a familiar face in the GT3 class when it does finally touch down in Europe. Matech Racing has just announced that it will enter three Ford GT cars in the upcoming 2007 season of FIA GT3 racing. While Ford is not officially involved, Matech is hoping to get some assistance from Ford of Europe in the homologation process. The promoters of FIA GT3 are extremely happy the Ford GT will be joining its ranks, and we're happy we may get to see some sibling rivalry before too long.

[Source: Ford, Jalopnik, Automobilsport]

Gallery: Ford Racing FR500C and FR500GT

Continue reading Ford wants Mustangs to race in Europe, will face the Ford GT

Ford wants Mustangs to race in Europe, will face the Ford GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Mar 2007 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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