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: Pastrana practice for record New Year's Eve jump goes awry]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/15/video-pastrana-practice-for-record-new-years-eve-jump-goes-awr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/15/video-pastrana-practice-for-record-new-years-eve-jump-goes-awr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/15/video-pastrana-practice-for-record-new-years-eve-jump-goes-awr/#commentsFiled under: ,

Travis Pastrana's practice jump - Click above to watch the video after the break

This is what we mean when we say Travis Pastrana is insane. Generally, whenever the world sees a ridiculous freestyle dirtbike or automobile trick, it goes off without a hitch. It almost seems like a foregone conclusion that the rider is going to execute a perfect jump or flip, wave to the cameras and hug his significant others. There's a reason for that...

That reason? In a word: Practice. Yes, just like your first grade teacher drilled into you decades ago, practice makes perfect. Usually. As you'll see in the video after the break, practice sessions are just as dangerous and death-defying as the actual stunts themselves. In fact, sometimes even more so.

For this particular feat of craziness, Pastrana is actually planning to jump off a ramp at the end of a pier over 250 feet of water to a waiting barge as part of a New Year's celebration. Assuming practice sessions indicate that it's possible... which, well, just hit the jump to watch the video.

[Source: YouTube via Auto-Focus.us]

Continue reading VIDEO: Pastrana practice for record New Year's Eve jump goes awry

VIDEO: Pastrana practice for record New Year's Eve jump goes awry originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>New Yearnew years eveNewYearNewYearsEveRally Carrally car jumpRallyCarRallyCarJumpred bullRed Bull New Year No Limitsred bull racingRedBullRedBullNewYearNoLimitsRedBullRacingtravis pastranaTravisPastranaworld record jumpWorldRecordJumpTue, 15 Dec 2009 12:58:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Red Bull to place Raikkonen, Loeb and Coulthard in Peugeot 908 HDi at Le Mans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/11/report-red-bull-to-place-raikkonen-loeb-and-coulthard-in-peuge/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/11/report-red-bull-to-place-raikkonen-loeb-and-coulthard-in-peuge/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/11/report-red-bull-to-place-raikkonen-loeb-and-coulthard-in-peuge/#commentsFiled under: ,


Peugeot 908 HDi - Click above for high-res image gallery

Motorsports of late have been gripped by the crossover of racing drivers from one discipline to another, but one of the most established migrations in motor racing has always been between Formula One and Le Mans. The great (but unrelated) Hills - Phil and Graham - both won the F1 championship and Le Mans, but none have done so since Jochen Rindt in 1970. Lately, Peugeot especially has been seeking F1 drivers to pilot its 908 HDi against the venerable Audis at the famous 24-hour race, but that could step up a notch if the latest rumors from France hold any Evian.

Peugeot has registered three factory works cars to challenge Le Mans next year, plus one mystery car that has only been listed as a privateer entry. According to the latest reports, that entry could be fielded by Red Bull. The energy drink company has one of the most comprehensive networks of racing talent under its wings, but what's catching the most attention is three of its most prominent drivers.

Six-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb, whose Citroen C4 rally car is sponsored by Red Bull, has raced Le Mans previously, and has been linked to a return to the endurance race. 2007 Formula One champion Kimi Raikkonen will likewise be driving next year in a Red Bull-sponsored C4 fielded by Citroen (Peugeot's sister company). Finally, David Coulthard was largely responsible for Red Bull's foray into F1, and though retired from actively racing, remains an advisor and test driver for the team.

While these rumors could prove nothing more than exactly that, if Red Bull were to bring these three talents to La Sarthe, they would surely be a force to be reckoned with.


Gallery: Peugeot 908 HDi


[Source: AUTOhebdo via Le Blog Auto and Axis of Oversteer]

REPORT: Red Bull to place Raikkonen, Loeb and Coulthard in Peugeot 908 HDi at Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24 heures du mans24 hours of le mans24HeuresDuMans24HoursOfLeManscoulthard le manscoulthard peugeotCoulthardLeMansCoulthardPeugeotdavid coulthardDavidCoulthardkimi raikkonenKimiRaikkonenle mansLeMansloeb le mansloeb peugeotLoebLeMansLoebPeugeotpeugeotpeugeot 908peugeot 908 hdipeugeot le mansPeugeot908Peugeot908HdiPeugeotLeMansraikkonen le mansraikkonen peugeotRaikkonenLeMansRaikkonenPeugeotred bullred bull le mansRedBullRedBullLeManssebastien loebSebastienLoebFri, 11 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Big Deal? VW racing chief, F1 drivers visit Homestead for NASCAR season-closer]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/big-deal-vw-racing-chief-f1-drivers-visit-homestead-for-nascar/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/big-deal-vw-racing-chief-f1-drivers-visit-homestead-for-nascar/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/big-deal-vw-racing-chief-f1-drivers-visit-homestead-for-nascar/#commentsFiled under: ,



This year's Sprint Cup was awarded this past weekend at Homestead, where Jimmie Johnson scored his record fourth consecutive championship with a fifth-place finish behind race winner Denny Hamlin. (Oh yeah, "spoiler alert".) Anyway, on to the interesting part: the oval speedway had some unlikely German visitors for the series finale, leading the motorsport press and the fans to begin asking questions.

The Volkswagen Group's head of motorsports Hans-Joachim Stuck was reportedly among the spectators at Homestead this past weekend, and took a few visible meetings with NASCAR officials. But Stuck was quick to dispel any rumors. Although he kvelled over the purity of the spectacle that NASCAR offers, Stuck said that convincing the bean counters back in Wolfsburg that stock car racing made sense for them would be a tough sell.

If you think it would be an even tougher sell to fans, consider that VW's new plant in Chatanooga, Tennessee, could be only the first step in an increasing American presence for the German automaker, and that Toyota may have already prepared the ground for foreign makes to enter the series.

Meanwhile Stuck did confirm ongoing negotiations over the German auto group's potential participation in the Grand Am sportscar series, also owned by NASCAR's France family. According to Stuck, the Audi/Lamborghini V10 could be a perfect fit for the prototype racers, though they'd have to make it work with the spec ECU. Stuck also revealed that his company was discussing a possible entry into the IndyCar series.

The VW racing chief wasn't the only notable German at Homestead this past weekend, though, as Red Bull flew out its star driver Sebastian Vettel to witness the spectacle as well. After watching the race and chatting with former colleague Juan Pablo Montoya, Vettel said that F1 could stand to learn a lot from NASCAR, and that while he's committed to F1, he'd like to try out a stock car on an oval. This after his professed fascination with rallying as well. It's worth noting that Heikki Kovalainen, now looking for a new drive since leaving McLaren, was also at the race as a guest of Penske Racing, leading to speculation over the Finnish driver's prospects for next season.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Jason Smith/Getty]

Big Deal? VW racing chief, F1 drivers visit Homestead for NASCAR season-closer originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audi grand amaudi grand-amAudiGrand-amAudiGrandAmgrand amgrand-amGrandAmhans stuckhans-joachim stuckHans-joachimStuckHansStuckheikki kovalainenheikki kovalainen penskeHeikkiKovalainenHeikkiKovalainenPenskekovalainenlamborghini grand amlamborghini grand-amLamborghiniGrand-amLamborghiniGrandAmpenskered bullRedBullsebastian vettelSebastianVettelstuckvettelvolkswagenvolkswagen nascarVolkswagenNascarTue, 24 Nov 2009 16:59:00 EST<![CDATA[SPOILER ALERT: 2009 Formula 1 season wraps up with a bang at inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/01/spoiler-alert-2009-formula-1-season-wraps-up-with-a-bang-at-ina/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/01/spoiler-alert-2009-formula-1-season-wraps-up-with-a-bang-at-ina/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/01/spoiler-alert-2009-formula-1-season-wraps-up-with-a-bang-at-ina/#commentsFiled under: ,


2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery

Les jeux sont faits. The line signifies the last call for bets at a casino, and is all too familiar to racing fans visiting Monte Carlo for the annual Monaco Grand Prix. But these days the Mediterranean principality isn't the only place that features state-of-the-art Formula One race cars speeding past casinos. Nor is it the only exotic locale anymore that stages an F1 grand prix around a marina, for that matter. Over the past couple of years, Valencia and Singapore became two of the newest circuits that incorporate trackside docking for mega-yachts alongside wheel-to-wheel action, and this year Abu Dhabi joined the fold with the much-hyped Yas Marina Circuit. But by the time the F1 circus sailed in to the Gulf emirate for the last round of the 2009 Formula One World Championship, the titles were already settled and the champions already crowned.

With the major plays already made, some might have dismissed the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as insignificant. Indeed, if Bernie Ecclestone had his way with his proposed olympic-style medal system, the race might have been canceled altogether. But if you ask us, removing the title chase from racing boils motorsport competition down to its essence, all eyes focused purely on the checkered flag instead of scoring points in the larger context of the championship. And if anything, the action on Yas Island only proved the point. Follow the jump to read how it unfolded.


Gallery: 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: 2009 Formula 1 season wraps up with a bang at inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

SPOILER ALERT: 2009 Formula 1 season wraps up with a bang at inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 abu dhabi grand prix2009 formula one world championship2009AbuDhabiGrandPrix2009FormulaOneWorldChampionshipabu dhabiAbu Dhabi GPabu dhabi grand prixAbuDhabiAbuDhabiGpAbuDhabiGrandPrixbrawn gpBrawnGpbuttonemiratesf1formula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnegrand prixGrandPrixgulfjenson buttonJensonButtonmark webberMarkWebberpersian gulfPersianGulfred bullred bull racingRedBullRedBullRacingsebastian vettelSebastianVetteluaeunited arab emiratesUnitedArabEmiratesvettelwebberyas islandyas island circuityas island marina circuityas marinayas marina circuitYasIslandYasIslandCircuitYasIslandMarinaCircuitYasMarinaYasMarinaCircuitSun, 01 Nov 2009 14:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Next Stop, Le Mans: FIA reportedly puts the brakes on Sebastien Loeb's grand prix debut]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/next-stop-le-mans-fia-puts-the-brakes-on-sebastien-loebs-gran/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/next-stop-le-mans-fia-puts-the-brakes-on-sebastien-loebs-gran/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/next-stop-le-mans-fia-puts-the-brakes-on-sebastien-loebs-gran/#commentsFiled under: ,


What do you do after making it to the pinnacle of rallying and winning a record-shattering six consecutive world championships? Anything you want - or so you'd think - but Sebastien Loeb is running into some roadblocks that appear to have derailed his plans to try his hand at Formula One.

The French rally ace who recently secured his sixth WRC title in a row was tipped to potentially drive for Scuderia Toro Rosso at the upcoming F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi. Considering that the team is owned by the same company that sponsors Loeb's Citroën rally car, and that the outfit seems to almost exclusively employ drivers named Sebastien (to say nothing of the championship already having concluded), it all seemed entirely likely. But despite having participated in a number of test sessions, the FIA has reportedly deemed the 35-year-old driver unsuitable for F1 racing, refusing to grant him the Superlicense needed to compete.

So what's next on Loeb's plate? Although he's recently been linked with a drive for USF1, Loeb realizes he probably won't get another shot at F1 at this point in his career. But he isn't done with circuit racing altogether. Having scored an impressive podium finish at Le Mans in 2006 for the Pescarolo team and tested the Peugeot 908 LMP1 (run by the same automaker as his rally team) a couple of times already, the champ is looking at potentially joining the Peugeot Le Mans team again in the near future.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Mark Thompson/Getty/Red Bull Racing]

Next Stop, Le Mans: FIA reportedly puts the brakes on Sebastien Loeb's grand prix debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CitroenF1FIAFormula 1Formula OneFormula1FormulaOneloebloeb le mansloeb lmp1loeb peugeotloeb red bullloeb toro rossoLoebLeMansLoebLmp1LoebPeugeotLoebRedBullLoebToroRossored bullred bull racingRedBullRedBullRacingscuderia toro rossoScuderiaToroRossosebastien loebsebastien loeb abu dhabiSebastienLoebSebastienLoebAbuDhabitoro rosso strToroRossoStrTue, 27 Oct 2009 17:22:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: David Coulthard gets a speeding ticket. In an F1 car.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/report-david-coulthard-gets-a-speeding-ticket-in-an-f1-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/report-david-coulthard-gets-a-speeding-ticket-in-an-f1-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/report-david-coulthard-gets-a-speeding-ticket-in-an-f1-car/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


David Coulthard demonstrates for Red Bull Racing in Mumbai, India - Click above for high-res image gallery

You can't blame an F1 driver from driving fast. That's what they're supposed to do. Evidently authorities in India feel differently, however, as they've slapped David Coulthard with an enormous £20,000 (approx $33k) ticket for breaking the speed limit. The kicker? It was for a Formula 1 demonstration on a closed-off section of roadway.

The winner of thirteen grands prix (and one of the top points scorers of all time) retired from active racing at the end of last season, but remains a consultant and test driver for the Red Bull Racing team which he helped form. The team recently held a demonstration run in Mumbai, India, drawing a crowd of some 50,000 racing fans.

Part of the route took Coulthard across the Rajiv Ghandi Sea Link. The bridge has a maximum speed limit of 62 miles per hour, and even drops to 31 MPH in some parts. DC, however, was clocked at 162 MPH. As a result, the local authorities are reportedly withholding the £20,000 deposit which the team put down for the event, making for one mammoth speeding ticket. But at least Coulthard isn't stuck paying out of pocket.


Gallery: Red Bull Racing demonstration in Mumbai, India


[Source: Autosport]

REPORT: David Coulthard gets a speeding ticket. In an F1 car. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coultharddavid coulthardDavidCoulthardf1formula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOneindiamumbairajiv ghandi sea linkRajivGhandiSeaLinkred bullred bull f1red bull f1 demonstrationred bull racingRedBullRedBullF1RedBullF1DemonstrationRedBullRacingspeeding ticketSpeedingTicketticketMon, 26 Oct 2009 18:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Travis Pastrana reportedly plans to jump from bridge to barge on New Year's Eve]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/report-travis-pastrana-to-jump-from-bridge-to-barge-on-new-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/report-travis-pastrana-to-jump-from-bridge-to-barge-on-new-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/report-travis-pastrana-to-jump-from-bridge-to-barge-on-new-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,



In the same way that just about anything under Sir Richard Branson's "Virgin" umbrella has come to mean hip and edgy, things affixed with the "Red Bull" stamp are coming to mean "That's frickin' crazy!" Last year for New Year's Eve Robbie Maddison took his motorbike and leaped on to the 96-foot Arc de Triomphe replica in Las Vegas, then jumped the 96 feet back down to the ground.

This year for Red Bull's New Year, No Limits stunt, Travis Pastrana wants to break the record for the longest jump in his rallying Subaru. He'll be launching from the Pine Street Pier in Long Beach and hoping to make it onto a landing ramp more than 270 feet away. In between the pier and the ramp: 250 feet of water.

Pastrana's going for an old school jump, opting not to use a specially prepared car for the trick. Pastrana says he wants to drive out of the stunt and get back to the party, but also mentions Spanky Spangler as inspiration. Spangler did a 225-foot jump in a Chevy Nova, but he landed in the water -- on purpose. From 270 feet away, flying through the air, Pastrana's attempt to land on a barge will be like trying to alight on a pencil. If nothing else, it should make some excellent TV, and if he makes it unhurt a great start to the New Year.

[Source: AP | Image credit: TravisPastrana.com]

Travis Pastrana reportedly plans to jump from bridge to barge on New Year's Eve originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Brazilian Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery

"Everything can change in a New York minute." It's a good thing Don Henley wrote his hit song twenty years before this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix. Because "in an Interlagos minute" just doesn't have the same ring to it. But it does go to show how quickly fortunes can be reversed over the course of a race distance. Especially when the championship is on the line.

With two races to go, the F1 circus rolled in to Sao Paulo with Jenson Button - winner of six grands prix this season - leading his Brawn GP team-mate, hometown hero and chief rival Rubens Barrichello 85 to 71, with Red Bull challenger Sebastian Vettel - fresh from victory in Japan - trailing with 69 points. The most likely scenarios placed Button clinching the title right here at the penultimate championship round, if not at the final race in Abu Dhabi two weeks from now.

But the heavens seemed to have a different plan when torrential downpours put a hamper on Saturday's qualifying session. Once the rain stopped, yesterday's proved to be the longest qualifying session in Formula One history, and the order came out all messed up. Instead of placing up at the front of the grid, Button and Vettel found themselves way down the pecking order in 14th and 16th positions. In their place, their respective wingmen Barrichello and Webber started 1st and 2nd on the grid, with half a field's worth of back-markers separating them. Follow the jump to read how the race unfolded.


Gallery: 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: The Fat Lady Sings at the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix

SPOILER ALERT: The Fat Lady Sings at the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 brazilian grand prix2009 fia formula one world championship2009BrazilianGrandPrix2009FiaFormulaOneWorldChampionshipbrawn gpBrawnGpbrazilbrazilianbrazilian grand prixBrazilianGrandPrixf1fia formula one world championshipFiaFormulaOneWorldChampionshipformula 1formula oneformula one world championshipFormula1FormulaOneFormulaOneWorldChampionshipgrand prixGrandPrixinterlagosjenson buttonJensonButtonmark webberMarkWebberrace resultsRaceResultsred bullred bull racingRedBullRedBullRacingsao pauloSaoPauloSun, 18 Oct 2009 16:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Bull Soapbox Race comes to Jerusalem]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/18/red-bull-soapbox-race-comes-to-jerusalem/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/18/red-bull-soapbox-race-comes-to-jerusalem/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/18/red-bull-soapbox-race-comes-to-jerusalem/#commentsFiled under:


Red Bull Soapbox Race Jerusalem 2009 - Click above for high-res image gallery

With electronic this and variable that, there's little doubt that the modern automobile has benefited more than most from the relentless march of progress. And don't get us wrong, we're glad for it. But we're not robots, nor do we want our cars to turn into them. Sometimes we long for simpler times when a man, woman, or child with a enough vision, elbow grease and spare time could build his or her dream car right in the garage.

Fortunately for the nostalgics among us, that simpler place and time is alive and well in the time-honored tradition of the soap box derby. We stopped by to check one out in of the last locations on earth that you'd expect to find one. Follow the jump to see what we found.


Gallery: Red Bull Soapbox Race Jerusalem 2009


Photos copyright (C)2009 Amos BenGershom/Weblogs Inc.

Continue reading Red Bull Soapbox Race comes to Jerusalem

Red Bull Soapbox Race comes to Jerusalem originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Oct 2009 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>israeljerusalemred bullred bull soap box raceRedBullRedBullSoapBoxRacesoap boxsoap box derbysoap box raceSoapBoxSoapBoxDerbySoapBoxRaceSun, 18 Oct 2009 10:20:00 EST<![CDATA[End of Year Shuffle: 14 Formula One teams swap drivers for 2010]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/08/end-of-year-shuffle-14-formula-one-teams-swap-drivers-for-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/08/end-of-year-shuffle-14-formula-one-teams-swap-drivers-for-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/08/end-of-year-shuffle-14-formula-one-teams-swap-drivers-for-2010/#commentsFiled under: ,


If you thought the series of driver changes in the middle of this ongoing Formula One season was something, it's nothing compared to the grand game of musical chairs expected to ensue as the season draws to a close. With BMW closing up shop, several new teams joining the grid and at least a couple of former world champions switching teams for next year's championship, we're shaping up for the biggest jumble the F1 circus has seen in years. Follow the jump to see how it's unfolding so far.

[Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

Continue reading End of Year Shuffle: 14 Formula One teams swap drivers for 2010

End of Year Shuffle: 14 Formula One teams swap drivers for 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 fia formula one world champion2010 formula one2010FiaFormulaOneWorldChampion2010FormulaOneadian sutilAdianSutilalguersuarialonsobarrichellobrawlBrawn GPBrawnGpbuemibuttoncamposcampos metaCamposMetaf1f1 driversF1Driversfelipe massaFelipeMassafernando alonsoFernandoAlonsoFerrarifisichellaformula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOneGiancarlo FisichellaGiancarloFisichellaglockgrosjeanheidfeldJaime AlguersuariJaimeAlguersuarijarno trulliJarnoTrullijenson buttonJensonButtonkazuki nakajimaKazukiNakajimakimi raikkonenKimiRaikkonenkubicaliuzziLotuslotus f1LotusF1manormark webberMarkWebbermassamclarennakajimanick heidfeldNickHeidfeldnico rosbergNicoRosbergraikkonenred bullred bull racingRedBullRedBullRacingrobert kubicaRobertKubicaromain grosjeanRomainGrosjeanrosbergrubens barrichelloRubensBarrichelloscuderia toro rossoScuderiaToroRossosebastian vettelSebastianVettelsebastien buemiSebastienBuemisutiltimo glockTimoGlocktonio liuzziTonioLiuzzitoro rossoToroRossotoyotatoyota f1ToyotaF1trullius f1UsF1vettelvitantonio liuzziVitantonioLiuzziwebberwilliamsThu, 08 Oct 2009 09:28:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: RSD's DeLorean soap box racer consumes 1.21 gigawatts of Red Bull]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/02/video-rsds-delorean-soap-box-racer-consumes-1-21-gigawatts-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/02/video-rsds-delorean-soap-box-racer-consumes-1-21-gigawatts-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/02/video-rsds-delorean-soap-box-racer-consumes-1-21-gigawatts-of/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Roland Sands Design DeLorean soapbox racer - Click above to watch the video after the break

Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads. Only parking lots... plus a few small jumps and a high-banked turn. Oh, and we'll also need a bit of gravity, which is all that's powering Roland Sands Design's soap box derby racer. Built in the shape of a certain famous DeLorean time machine, Sands' version eschews Mr. Fusion in favor of a giant can of Red Bull, which just so happens to be the title sponsor of the event the car was competing in.

From the looks of things, this DeLorean-shaped racer performed just about flawlessly with ex-motorcycle racer Sands at the helm. See for yourself in the video after the break. If you're interested, part one can be found here. Oh, and just wait to see what happens when this baby hits 88 miles per hour!

[Source: Roland Sands Design]

Continue reading VIDEO: RSD's DeLorean soap box racer consumes 1.21 gigawatts of Red Bull

VIDEO: RSD's DeLorean soap box racer consumes 1.21 gigawatts of Red Bull originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deloreandelorean soap boxdelorean time machineDeloreanSoapBoxDeloreanTimeMachinered bullred bull soap boxRedBullRedBullSoapBoxroland sandsroland sands designRolandSandsRolandSandsDesignsoap boxsoap box derbySoapBoxSoapBoxDerbytime machineTimeMachineFri, 02 Oct 2009 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[SPOILER ALERT: Of Champions and Shadows at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/27/spoiler-alert-of-champions-and-shadows-at-the-2009-hungarian-gr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/27/spoiler-alert-of-champions-and-shadows-at-the-2009-hungarian-gr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/27/spoiler-alert-of-champions-and-shadows-at-the-2009-hungarian-gr/#commentsFiled under: ,

2009 Hungarian Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery

Jenson Button and his Brawn GP team cast a dominating shadow over the start of this year's Formula One World Championship, taking the checkered flag at six out of the seven races this season to take a commanding lead for the title. But as Button and Brawn cast a dark shadow over the competition, the skies over the paddock at this past weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix were darkened even further, with the drivers getting a taste of their own mortality after Felipe Massa was hospitalized with severe injuries to his head after being hit by a spring during Saturday's qualifying session.

Driving an F1 car - in a grand prix no less - takes an extraordinarily focused person, ignoring the laws of physics and all that can go wrong in order to even get some heat into the tires, much less extract the car's true performance potential. Winning a grand prix takes an even more rarified breed of individual, outgunning the other exceptionally talented and driven drivers to claim victory. Only 102 people have managed that feat in the history of the sport. But it takes a champion to see a fallen comrade and still marshal the fortitude to reel in the win.


Gallery: 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: Of Champions and Shadows at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix

SPOILER ALERT: Of Champions and Shadows at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's official, Ladies and Gentlemen: Sebastien Bourdais' career in Formula One is finished. In his place will be the youngest driver ever to race in F1, Spanish pilot Jamie Alguersuari. Scuderia Toro Rosso, out from whose cockpit Bourdais has evidently climbed for the last time and which Alguersuari will now call home, says it's taking the opportunity to promote one of its top protégés and doesn't expect the young Spaniard to begin yielding results immediately - especially since he has barely had the opportunity to even test the car away from the limelight of a Grand Prix weekend. Leg-up opportunities aside, it can't be ignored that with Alguersuari comes sponsorship cash from two major companies backing their countryman's career: Oil giant Repsol and savings bank La Caixa.

Alguersuari will be driving alongside Swiss driver Sebastien Buemi, both of whom will be wringing out a significantly updated car at the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix. Missing out on the new package only served to further irritate the departing Bourdais, who, far from taking the dismissal lying down, has announced that he's looking into legal repercussions for STR's premature termination of his contract. Meanwhile, veteran test driver and close confident Marc Géné says that the timing of Alguersuari's race debut could make his the most challenging in F1 history.

But Jamie and the Red Bull Junior development program that brought him up through the ranks aren't about to take it easy - while racing in F1 for Toro Rosso, Alguersuari will continue to compete in the Formula Renault 3.5 championship in which he was already racing, making his one heck of a learning curve. Official announcement in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Scuderia Toro Rosso | Image: Peter Fox/Getty]

Continue reading Officially Official: Toro Rosso confirms Alguersuari to replace Bourdais

Officially Official: Toro Rosso confirms Alguersuari to replace Bourdais originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Those pulling for Sebastien Bourdais will undoubtedly be disappointed by the latest reports emanating from the Formula One paddock. After winning the now-defunct Champ Car title four times in a row, the French driver switched to Formula One with Scuderia Toro Rosso last season, but while his team-mate Sebastian Vettel scored race wins, Bourdais never managed to do better than a couple of seventh-place finishes. Now, after his third early retirement this season at the German Grand Prix this past weekend, reports indicate that he's been given the axe.

Taking Bourdais' seat at STR for the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix will be Jamie Alguersuari, a Red Bull prodigy, recently promoted reserve/test driver for both Red Bull Racing and reigning champion in the British Formula 3 championship. Reports suggest that Alguersuari's promotion to the race seat serves as preparation for his full-time campaign next season and was fueled, so to speak, by a pending sponsorship deal with Spanish oil company Repsol, which supports Alguersuari's career. If the reports are confirmed and the 19-year-old racer starts the Hugarian GP for STR, he'll be the youngest ever to race in F1.

While the news undoubtedly comes as a disappointment for Bourdais and his fans, it surely disappoints another French multiple-champion as well. As rumors have escalated over the past few days about Bourdais' departure, five-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb publicly threw his hat into the ring to replace his countryman. Loeb previously tested an F1 car for sister team Red Bull Racing, and has long contemplated a switch of disciplines. But while Loeb's declaration infuriated Bourdais, but it looks like his move from WRC to F1 will have to wait a little longer.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Peter Fox/Getty]

Toro Rosso reportedly replaces Sebastien Bourdais with 19-year-old Jamie Alguersuari originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 German Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery

Every dog has his day. Let's make that the unofficial theme of this year's Formula One season. You can ask any of a variety of players in this year's championship and they'll surely attest to the old axiom's veracity.

First to speak up would undoubtedly be Jenson Button, the surprisingly dominant leader of this year's championship. He's been on the field since the turn of the millennium, racing for essentially the same team - under different banners - for the last seven seasons but who, until this year, had only one race win to show for it. His entire team at Brawn GP wouldn't be far behind in backing him up, either, as the scrappy insurgency has emerged as the force to be reckoned with in this tumultuous season. But this weekend's German Grand Prix, back at the Nürburgring thanks to a rotation with Hockenheim, it was another dog who had his day. Follow the jump to find out who.


Gallery: 2009 German Grand Prix

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: Letting Loose the Dogs of War at the 2009 German Grand Prix

SPOILER ALERT: Letting Loose the Dogs of War at the 2009 German Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 British Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery

Did summertime showers put a damper on your Father's Day plans? That game of catch in the park or trip to the local Six Flags may not have worked out, but despite seemingly year-round rain in England, race fans at Silverstone enjoyed beautifully dry weather for this weekend's running of the British Grand Prix.

Clear skies may not have been enough to hold back the gathering storm clouds darkening F1's skies: the future of the British Grand Prix hangs in the balance as officials debate the merits of the planned move from Silverstone to Donington, while the sport itself threatens to split in two as the FIA holds its line and the teams prepare to form their own series. But none of that mattered when the lights flashed green on the starting grid at Silverstone. The question on everyone's minds, of course, was whether the so-far dominant Jenson Button would be able to carry his momentum into a sought-after home-turf victory, or if his challengers would be able to turn the tides. Follow the jump to find out who came out on top.


Gallery: 2009 British Grand Prix


Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: Holding Back the Reign at the 2009 British Grand Prix

SPOILER ALERT: Holding Back the Reign at the 2009 British Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sebastian Vettel en route to receive the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy - Click above for a high-res image gallery

It's not every day that we get to see an F1 car out on city streets, but then again, we don't live in Italy. That's the racing-crazed country that recently allowed Sebastian Vettel to drive a grand prix racer across 12 kilometers of public roads to receive the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy.

The award is presented annually in the Italian village of Brisighella, where Lorenzo Bandini lived until his tragic death at the 1967 Monaco Grand Prix. Every year since, the Bandini family presents the trophy to a F1 driver, and it's become a bit of a tradition that the recipient drive his F1 car to pick it up in person. So with police escorts (note the Polizia-spec Lamborghini Gallardo in the background of the pictures in the gallery below), Vettel drove the dozen clicks from the home base of the Scuderia Toro Rosso - with whom he won the Italian Grand Prix last season - in an STR F1 car to Brisighella, where he joined the ranks of such recent recipients as Felipe Massa, Mark Webber, Kimi Raikkonen, Jacques Villeneuve and Robert Kubica in accepting the citation.


Gallery: Sebastian Vettel receives Lorenzo Bandini Trophy

Sebastian Vettel drives his Toro Rosso on public streets to pick up award originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Monaco Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery

Another race, another week of wondering whether the other Formula 1 teams would make enough progress to catch Brawn GP. Saturday's qualifying session for the Monaco Grand Prix looked pretty familiar, save for a sorely missed flash of red on the front row. This week's top three? Not surprisingly, Brawn's Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello bracketing Ferrari's former champion, Kimi Raikkonen. Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel was fourth, with last year's runner-up, Felipe Massa fifth in the other Ferrari. Massa had shown the updated F60's potential by qualifying fourth last time out in Spain, but it was refreshing to see both Ferraris in the front three rows for a change. Would KERS help Kimi grab the lead going into turn one? Would Brawn show any chinks in its previously impervious armor? Would Vettel somehow get through to bring Red Bull its second victory of the season? Follow the jump to find out.


Gallery: 2009 Monaco Grand Prix

Continue reading Spoiler Alert: 2009 Monaco Grand Prix recap

Spoiler Alert: 2009 Monaco Grand Prix recap originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 May 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yesterday, we brought you news that Toyota could quit Formula One if FIA president Max Mosley's proposal for a two-tiered budget system is put in place. But the Japanese team based in Germany - currently enjoying its best season so far - isn't the only one making noise. Ferrari has hinted it could jump ship and put its energy into Le Mans, instead. Mercedes-Benz has said it could cancel its F1 program, and BMW has reportedly done the same. Now, three more teams are joining the call for the proposed regulations to be annulled, or else.

Next up to the plate is Red Bull, which owns and operates both the Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso teams. Owner Dietrich Mateschitz has joined the ranks of disgruntled team owners, saying he will not field his two teams next season under the proposed regulations.

Renault has not quite gone that far, but team principal Flavio Briatore has said that the rules need to be changed, the fashion king comparing the FIA's proposal to opening discount stores on trendy streets. The FIA has set May 29 as the deadline for teams to sign up and pay their fees to race in 2010, but with Ferrari, McLaren-Mercedes, BMW Sauber, Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Renault threatening boycott, that leaves only Williams, Force India and Brawn GP lining up on the grid next year. Those three are expected to go ahead regardless, because as independent F1 teams, if they withdrew or sat a season out, they would have no other obvious places to race.

Even with several new teams lining up to join the field next year, Mosley can't seriously hold his ground against all the sport's biggest teams... can he? It's a high-speed game of chicken, and somebody's going to flinch.

[Sources: Autosport and F1-Live | Image: Diego Tuson/AFP/Getty]

More F1 teams joins boycott call for 2010 regulation changes originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 May 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Chinese Grand Prix - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Those who tuned in on Saturday for the qualifying session at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix would not have been surprised by the top three: Brawn's Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello took first and third on the starting grid, respectively, sandwiching Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel in second. No big surprise there - after dominating the first four rounds of the season, these three drivers hold the top three spots in the standings, after all. But coming in right behind them was a daunting wild card in Felipe Massa, who took fourth place on the grid. Of course only in this topsy-turvy season could Ferrari's golden boy, runner-up in last year's championship, be considered a wild card. Call it a sign of the times. But would Massa be able to turn around his dismal fortunes, take on the erstwhile underdogs and restore the Scuderia to its rightful place in the winner's circle? Follow the jump to find out.


Gallery: 2009 Spanish Grand Prix

Continue reading 2009 Spanish Grand Prix: How the Mighty Have Fallen [SPOILER ALERT]

2009 Spanish Grand Prix: How the Mighty Have Fallen [SPOILER ALERT] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 May 2009 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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