Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VIDEO: Things to do in your Ferrari F430 Challenge racer when you're bored on straightaways]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/video-things-to-do-in-your-ferrari-f430-challenge-racer-when-yo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/video-things-to-do-in-your-ferrari-f430-challenge-racer-when-yo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/video-things-to-do-in-your-ferrari-f430-challenge-racer-when-yo/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above to watch the video after the jump

There was a time when shifting your own gears meant you had to drive with both feet, but in the age of high-tech automatics, that's no longer the case. Over the years, F1-style gearboxes has evolved and -- in most cases -- proven to be faster and more efficient than a manual, with far less physical labor.

Ferrari's recent lineup is chock full of auto 'boxes, and one F430 Challenge owner who frequents the track finally got fed-up with the teasing from his manual shifting brethren and decided to poke back at those who call his Maranello masterpiece the Ferraromatic. Hit the jump to watch all the things you can do in a self-shifting Fezza, including knitting, texting and wine tasting (simulated). Sure, it's all a clever ruse (a few inconsistencies with steering angle spoil the illusion), but it's damn funny all the same.

[Source: Axis of Oversteer]

Continue reading VIDEO: Things to do in your Ferrari F430 Challenge racer when you're bored on straightaways

VIDEO: Things to do in your Ferrari F430 Challenge racer when you're bored on straightaways originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ferrariferrari f430ferrari f430 challengeFerrariF430FerrariF430Challengeferraromaticmarinellopaddle shiftersPaddleShiftersMon, 19 Oct 2009 15:58:00 EST<![CDATA[The Little Nürburgring: Ferraris in their Natural Habitat at Mont Tremblant]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/the-little-nurburgring-ferraris-in-their-natural-habitat-at-mon/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/the-little-nurburgring-ferraris-in-their-natural-habitat-at-mon/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/the-little-nurburgring-ferraris-in-their-natural-habitat-at-mon/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


2009 Ferrari Challenge at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've always found the idea of going on safari or a diving expedition rather intriguing. But while we can appreciate those willing to spend their precious vacation time and hard-earned cash to see nature's most beautiful creatures in their natural habitats, most of us here at Autoblog aren't exactly the nature-adventure types. We're car guys. The Ferrari Challenge... now that's more like it.

Like a lion in the Sahara or a bear in the forest, Ferraris belong on the race track. But the unfortunate reality is most end up sitting in tiled garages adjoining big mansions in prestigious locations. We get to see more than most, but more often than not they're perched on an auto show stand under floodlights and flash bulbs. So when Ferrari invited us to join them at the legendary Circuit Mont Tremblant for a round of wheel-to-wheel racing, we could hardly resist. Follow the jump for more.


Gallery: 2009 Ferrari F430 Challenge at Mont Tremblant


Gallery: 2009 Ferrari Historic Challenge at Mont Tremblant


Photos copyright (C)2009 Noah Joseph / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading The Little Nürburgring: Ferraris in their Natural Habitat at Mont Tremblant

The Little Nürburgring: Ferraris in their Natural Habitat at Mont Tremblant originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>250 gto250Gto430 challenge430Challengecanadian grand prixCanadianGrandPrixcircuit mont tremblantcircuit mont-tremblantCircuitMont-tremblantCircuitMontTremblantf430 challengeF430Challengefeaturedferrariferrari 250 gtoferrari 430 challengeferrari canadaferrari challengeferrari f430ferrari f430 challengeferrari gtoferrari historic challengeferrari quebecFerrari250GtoFerrari430ChallengeFerrariCanadaFerrariChallengeFerrariF430FerrariF430ChallengeFerrariGtoFerrariHistoricChallengeFerrariQuebecgtohistoric racingHistoricRacingle circuit mont tremblantle circuit mont-tremblantLeCircuitMont-tremblantLeCircuitMontTremblantlittle nurburgringLittleNurburgringmont tremblantmont-tremblantMontTremblantquebectremblantTue, 28 Jul 2009 19:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Poll: In what spec racing series would you want to race?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/15/poll-in-what-spec-racing-series-would-you-want-to-race/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/15/poll-in-what-spec-racing-series-would-you-want-to-race/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/15/poll-in-what-spec-racing-series-would-you-want-to-race/#commentsFiled under:


Click above for a high resolution gallery of the Ferrari F430 Challenge

So you have a dilemma. You've got an itch for racing sports cars and cash to burn. Taking on Porsches and Ferraris in the GT2 category sounds fun, but the competition is pretty stiff and a spec series with a level playing field sounds more appealing. What are your options? If Porsches are your thing you might want to try the Porsche Supercup, featuring the 911 GT3 Cup, that runs in support of Formula 1. Rather go Italian? You can race an F430 in the Ferrari Challenge in North American, European, and Italian series, or try your hand in the brand new Lamborghini Super Trofeo series racing the Gallardo. American muscle more your style? You can race the FR500S Mustang in the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge at eight of America's best race tracks. We think each of them sounds like a ton of fun, but tell us which one you would pick in the poll below.

View Poll

Gallery: 2008 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup


Gallery: 2008 Ferrari F430 Challenge


Gallery: Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo


Gallery: Ford Racing Mustang FR500S

Poll: In what spec racing series would you want to race? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ferrari F430 ChallengeFerrariF430ChallengeFord Mustang ChallengeFord Racing Mustang ChallengeFordMustangChallengeFordRacingMustangChallengeLamborghini Super TrofeoLamborghiniSuperTrofeoPorsche SupercupPorscheSupercupSat, 15 Nov 2008 18:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Specing Aston Martin's V8 Vantage N24]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/10/specing-aston-martins-v8-vantage-n24/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/10/specing-aston-martins-v8-vantage-n24/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/10/specing-aston-martins-v8-vantage-n24/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Aston Martin rocks. Remember back in June when they won their class at the Nürburgring 24 Hours with pretty much a showroom stock V8 Vantage? The one that finished 24th overall out of a field of 220 entrants, most of which were pure race cars? Well, Aston Martin Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez does. He had promised that customers would be able to purchase a similar package for their Vantages soon after. And true to his word, we just got notice of the new N24 spec V8 Vantage will be available at a dealer near you. Already meticulously crafted, these N24 editions will be given even more special attention as they work their way through the assembly process, in a dedicated facility at the firm's Gaydon HQ.

Besides losing its air conditioner and most of its interior as part of the 550-lb Biggest Loser diet, the N24 will be reworked to coax an extra 30 hp from its mellifluous V8. Sidenote - This is the third best-sounding production car in recent years behind the Porsche Carrera GT and the Audi RS4. The Vantage N24 would make an excellent track day car for club racers, but should also be able to run in the VLN Endurance Championship at the Nürburgring, the Britcar endurance series, the Dutch Supercar Challenge, the Australian GT Championship and the European Endurance Championship. It might also qualify for the proposed European GT4 series, the Grand-Am Cup and SCCA Touring Car Class in the USA.

On sale now, the N24 will start at £78,720 ($152,350) and will actually debut in the Yokohama booth at the Autosport International Show at the Birmingham NEC in a couple of days. We like this trend of factory race cars like the Ferrari F430 Challenge, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, and the Subie rally cars down under

Full press release with specs after the jump.

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Specing Aston Martin's V8 Vantage N24

Specing Aston Martin's V8 Vantage N24 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Jan 2007 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aston Martin V8 VantageAstonMartinV8VantageAutosport International ShowAutosportInternationalShowDr Ulrich BezDrUlrichBezfactory race carFactoryRaceCarFerrari F430 ChallengeFerrariF430ChallengeN24Nürburgring 24 HoursNürburgring24HoursPorsche 911 GT3 Cup carPorsche911Gt3CupCarWed, 10 Jan 2007 10:27:00 EST