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[SPOILER ALERT: Champion's Champions Crowned at 2009 Race of Champions]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/spoiler-alert-winners-winners-crowned-at-2009-race-of-champion/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/spoiler-alert-winners-winners-crowned-at-2009-race-of-champion/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/spoiler-alert-winners-winners-crowned-at-2009-race-of-champion/#commentsFiled under: ,


2009 Race of Champions - Click above for high-res image gallery

Every year, around the world, drivers compete wheel to wheel in all manner of racing series, from rally to F1, touring cars to Le Mans and everything in between. It gives racing fans plenty of varied action to follow, but it leaves one question ultimately unanswered: who is the world's best driver? That's where the Race of Champions comes in.

The event has been held every year since 1988 at the end of the regular racing season, giving the world's best from all manner of racing series the world over a chance to compete against one another on equal footing and common ground. And this year's Race of Champions was no less decisive. Follow the jump to read who claimed victory as the champion of champions.


Gallery: Race of Champions 2009

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: Champion's Champions Crowned at 2009 Race of Champions

SPOILER ALERT: Champion's Champions Crowned at 2009 Race of Champions originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 race of champions2009RaceOfChampionsbeijingbirds nestBirdsNestchinaekstromfoustgermanymattias ekstromMattiasEkstrommichael schumacherMichaelSchumacherpastranarace of championsrace of champions 2009RaceOfChampionsRaceOfChampions2009rocschumachersebastian vettelSebastianVetteltanner foustTannerFousttravis pastranaTravisPastranavettelWed, 04 Nov 2009 19:26:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Travis Pastrana does tricks on DC Shoe Bike]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/video-travis-pastrana-does-tricks-on-dc-shoe-bike/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/video-travis-pastrana-does-tricks-on-dc-shoe-bike/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/video-travis-pastrana-does-tricks-on-dc-shoe-bike/#commentsFiled under: ,

Travis Pastrana's DC Shoe Bike - Click above to watch the video after the break

When we first stumbled upon this video from the fertile minds at DC Shoes - think Travis Pastrana and Ken Block - we asked ourselves the only logical question we could muster: What the heck is a Shoe Bike? Turns out that it's exactly what you'd expect - that is, if you'd ever expect such a thing to exist at all, but we digress. Travis Pastrana's Shoe Bike is a motocross machine that's had its wheels replaced with rolling hoops made from DC Shoes.

As you might expect, Pastrana has some crazy things in mind for the Shoe Bike... not the least of which are plenty of insane jumps many riders would never attempt even with standard rolling stock, sustained wheelies and burnouts. Right, with shoes instead of tires. Backflips? Sure, why not. This is Travis Pastrana after all. See for yourself in the video pasted after the break.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Travis Pastrana does tricks on DC Shoe Bike

VIDEO: Travis Pastrana does tricks on DC Shoe Bike originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dc shoesDcShoesken blockKenBlockpastranashoe bikeShoeBiketravis pastranatravis pastrana shoe bikeTravisPastranaTravisPastranaShoeBikeWed, 04 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[2009 Race of Champions heads to Beijing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/2009-race-of-champions-heads-to-beijing/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/2009-race-of-champions-heads-to-beijing/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/2009-race-of-champions-heads-to-beijing/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2008 Race of Champions at Wembley Stadium - Click above for high-res image gallery

Most of this year's major motorsport series are winding to a close. Champions are being crowned. Teams are preparing for next year. You know what that means: it's time for the Race of Champions.

The international event has been held for the past twenty years, and it always offers a real spectacle as some of the world's best drivers compete for top honors. And this year figures to be no different. Held for the first time outside of Europe at the Bird's Nest Olympic stadium in Beijing, the 2009 Race of Champions is set to take place next week, packed with an all-star roster.

Among those taking part this year will be newly-crowned Formula One World Champion Jenson Button, seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher, recently retired F1 stalwart David Coulthard and rising star Sebastian Vettel. Although six-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb - who won the RoC last year and twice before that - has apparently opted to sit this one out, perennial runner-up Mikko Hirvonen will be competing, along with Audi's multiple Le Mans winners Tom Kristensen and Emanuele Pirro; touring car champions Andy Priaulx, Mattias Ekstrom, Jamie Whincup and Yvan Muller; Dakar winner Giniel deVilliers, Monegasque single-seat racer Clivio Piccione and Australian bike racer Mick Doohan. And finally, these United States will be represented by two of our very finest showmen, Travis Pastrana and Tanner Foust.

This year, the champions will be competing for bragging rights behind the wheels of such varied machinery as the Ford Focus WRC, Volkswagen Scirocco, KTM X-Bow, Solution F Prototype Opel touring car and three different specially-equipped sprint cars. Tune in on Tuesday, November 3 - just two days after the 2009 Formula One World Championship wraps up in Abu Dhabi - for the results.


Gallery: 2008 Race of Champions


[Source: Race of Champions | Image: Mark Thompson/Getty]

2009 Race of Champions heads to Beijing originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 race of champions2009RaceOfChampionsbeijingbirds nestBirdsNestClivio PiccioneClivioPiccioneDavid CoulthardDavidCoulthardEmanuele PirroEmanuelePirroGiniel deVilliersGinielDevilliersJenson ButtonJensonButtonMichael SchumacherMichaelSchumacherMike DoohanMikeDoohanMikko HirvonenMikkoHirvonenrace of championsRaceOfChampionsrocSebastian VettelSebastianVettelSebastien LoebSebastienLoebTanner FaustTannerFaustTom KristensenTomKristensenTravis PastranaTravisPastranaThu, 29 Oct 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Tanner Foust headed back to the 2009 Race of Champions, now at Beijing's Bird's Nest]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/28/tanner-foust-headed-back-to-the-2009-race-of-champions-now-at-b/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/28/tanner-foust-headed-back-to-the-2009-race-of-champions-now-at-b/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/28/tanner-foust-headed-back-to-the-2009-race-of-champions-now-at-b/#commentsFiled under: ,

Michael Schumacher and Tanner Foust at the 2008 Race of Champions

There's our buddy and rally/drift/stunt maestro Tanner Foust (on the right), arm in arm with some guy Michael Schumacher at the 2008 Race of Champions (ROC) held in Wembley Stadium, London. Tanner went as a last minute substitute after Travis Pastrana broke his hip (and ankle) trying to flip a truck. However, in a supposedly backup roll, Foust went on to beat current F1 Champ Jenson Button in front of 80,000 fans before being knocked out of the competition by 2008 ROC runner-up David Coulthard. The 2008 ROC overall winner was none other than Sebastian Loeb.

If you don't know, the Race of Champions was founded in 1988 by former Group B legend Michèle Mouton and is the only race where drivers from different disciplines get the chance to compete against each other in a variety of events utilizing a whole bunch of different cars. The driver skill sets include F1, NASCAR, touring cars, and more recently rally and drift. Last year's cars included everything from a KTM X-Bow to a WRC Ford Focus to special ROC dune buggy. This year should be about the same. 2009 marks a big change for ROC as it leaves jolly old England and heads to China. Bejing specifically and the Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium designed by Herzod and de Meuron.

This year both Foust and Pastrana will be representing Old Glory as the sole American competitors. "I'm very honored to receive the re-invite to the Race of Champions," says Foust. "Pastrana will be the perfect teammate. He's good under pressure, undeniably fast and never misses a side bet." In addition to the ROC, Foust will be participating in daily drift events against a "top Chinese drifter." Having done a bit of dorifto with Mr. Foust ourselves, this Chinese cat had better be good. Like, real good. Best of luck to both Tanner and Travis, as they're going to need it against guys like Schumacher and Pirro. The Race of Champions takes place November 3-4.

[Source: Race of Champions]

Tanner Foust headed back to the 2009 Race of Champions, now at Beijing's Bird's Nest originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 Race of Champions2009RaceOfChampionsDavid CoulthardDavidCoulthardFoustJenson ButtonJensonButtonMichael SchumacherMichaelSchumacherMichele MoutonMicheleMoutonRace of ChampionsRace of Champions 2009RaceOfChampionsRaceOfChampions2009ROCTannerTanner FoustTannerFoustTravis PastranaTravisPastranaWed, 28 Oct 2009 08:00:00 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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>etcholidayjumpnew years eveNewYearsEvenyered bullRedBullstuntsubarutravis pastranaTravisPastranatrickMon, 19 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Ken Block and Travis Pastrana's Stupid Human Tricks Roadshow heads to Bonneville]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/06/video-ken-block-and-travis-pastranas-stupid-human-tricks-roads/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/06/video-ken-block-and-travis-pastranas-stupid-human-tricks-roads/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/06/video-ken-block-and-travis-pastranas-stupid-human-tricks-roads/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to watch the video after the jump

We've seen Ken Block and his gang of misfits perform plenty of crazy cool stunts in their Crawford-built 2009 Subaru WRX STI. Block's stupefyingly accurate power slides never seem to get old, no matter how many times we see his 566 horsepower (at the wheels!) STI come within millimeters of disaster. It is cool, however, to see Block and his friends add a little something extra this time around.

After the jump is video of Block and Travis Pastrana (on a motorcycle) having a good old time setting some land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The STI is still present and accounted for in all its adhesion-defying glory, but the speed records are being sought on some garbage cans, a big wheel, and "a $3 Wal-Mart plastic sled." Looks safe to us.

For some reason, some members of Block's team decided it would be a good idea to try to jump on the hood of the STI while it was doing donuts on the salt flats, and one of them ended up getting side-swiped and bounced off Block's rear wheel like a rag doll. That's gotta hurt. Hit the jump for 2:38 of (salt) rock-solid entertainment, but if you're a member of the Save The Salt coalition, be forewarned, there's some gratuitous car-on-salt violence. Hat tip to Bart K.


[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ken Block and Travis Pastrana's Stupid Human Tricks Roadshow heads to Bonneville

VIDEO: Ken Block and Travis Pastrana's Stupid Human Tricks Roadshow heads to Bonneville originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonneville salt flatsBonnevilleSaltFlatsken blockKenBlockstisubaru wrx stiSubaruWrxStitravis pastranaTravisPastranaThu, 06 Aug 2009 13:01:00 EST<![CDATA[X Games 15: Ford Fiesta, Kenny Brack get the gold]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/02/x-games-15-ford-fiesta-kenny-brack-get-the-gold/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/02/x-games-15-ford-fiesta-kenny-brack-get-the-gold/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/02/x-games-15-ford-fiesta-kenny-brack-get-the-gold/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

X Games 15 Crowns New Rally King - Click above for high-res image gallery

We're not going to say we told you so - because we didn't - but we are going to go ahead and say we're totally not shocked that former Indy 500 champ Kenny Brack just won some X Games gold. After all, we're still a touch weak in the knees from our little ride along with him and his atomic weasel Ford Fiesta rally car last Thursday. First thing's first: what a coup for Ford. Beating Subaru at X Games is like beating Muhammad Ali in the 1960s. It just doesn't happen very often. Turns out that the big jump that had everyone at Ford a little more worried than they were publicly letting on just wasn't an issue. The hopped up Fiestas did great. In fact all three Ford drivers (Brack, Foust and Deegan) made it to the semifinals, along with Subaru's Travis Pastrana.

What a great intro to the sport of rallying for Kenny Brack. It looked as if Foust was going to beat Brack heads up, but then Tanner spun out and Brack was pitted against Pastrana and his Subaru in the final. Pastrana is ahead after one lap and everyone had pretty much concluded that he was about to win his umpteenth X Game event. But at the start of the second lap, Pastrana goes wide, spins, hits the back left side of his car against a barrier and can't continue. Ten years after winning the the Indy 500, Kenny Brack wins X Games Rally gold. Good job, Kenny.

Follow the jump to watch video of the finals contest at this year's 2009 X Games.


Gallery: X Games 15 Crowns New Rally King

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[Source: ESPN]

Continue reading X Games 15: Ford Fiesta, Kenny Brack get the gold

X Games 15: Ford Fiesta, Kenny Brack get the gold originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 X Games Rally Car ride along - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you've never been given a "hot lap" by a professional driver, let me try and convey what the experience is like. You're usually dehydrated and have been standing on a heat-soaked paddock for far too long. There's a track rat (or two) whose job it is to get a helmet and HANS device fastened on you and their default thinking is that you've never even seen a track before, much less driven on one. You're wearing your street clothes, and items like your wallet and cell phone make it even harder for them to get you shoehorned and belted into the seat. The passenger seats are typically much narrower than the driver's seat and you're typically much fatter than the driver. It can be pretty embarrassing. Once you're secured, the driver sticks his hand out, you shake it and then you're off.

Follow the jump to find out what happens next.


Gallery: 2009 X Games Rally Car ride along

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Photos Copyright (C)2009 Jonny Lieberman / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading 2009 X Games Rally Car ride along

2009 X Games Rally Car ride along originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 Ford Fiesta2009 Ford Fiesta Rally car2009 Ford Fiesta Rallycross2009 Subaru WRX STI2009 X Games2009FordFiesta2009FordFiestaRallyCar2009FordFiestaRallycross2009SubaruWrxSti2009XGamesDave MirraDaveMirrafeaturedFiestaFiesta Rally Carfiesta rallycrossFiestaRallyCarFiestaRallycrossFordford fiestaFord Fiesta Rally CarFord Fiesta WRCFordFiestaFordFiestaRallyCarFordFiestaWrcimprezaKen BlockKenBlockKenny BrackKennyBrackOpen ClassOpen Class SubaruOpen Class Subaru WRX STIOpenClassOpenClassSubaruOpenClassSubaruWrxStiRallySTISubarusubaru imprezaSubaru WRX STISubaruImprezaSubaruWrxStiTanner FoustTannerFoustTravis PastranaTravisPastranaWRXWRX STIWrxStiX Gamesx games rallyXGamesXGamesRallyFri, 31 Jul 2009 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Chicago 2009: Subaru Impreza WRX STI Travis Pastrana Edition]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/13/chicago-2009-subaru-impreza-wrx-sti-travis-pastrana-edition/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/13/chicago-2009-subaru-impreza-wrx-sti-travis-pastrana-edition/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/13/chicago-2009-subaru-impreza-wrx-sti-travis-pastrana-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Subaru Travis Pastrana Impreza WRX STI

Tucked away in a corner of McCormick Place was this custom WRX STI built in as part of a cooperative effort between Subaru and Travis Pastrana's race team, Vermont SportsCar. The car commemorates Pastrana's third consecutive Rally America National Championship, and although a one-off, many of the parts on the car can be purchased through your local authorized Subaru dealer.

The exterior features custom yellow paint, a carbon fiber hood and rear spoiler, front chin spoiler, and a set of PIAA 2100 HID driving lights. Handling is improved thanks to an SPT strut tower brace, lower chassis brace, and BFGoodrich G-Force Super Sport A/S tires wrapped over satin black Work Evolution XD-9 wheels.

Under the hood, the 2.5-liter boxer engine gets an upgraded ECU and custom downpipe, while the interior now sports custom blue Alcantara seats with yellow piping, short-throw shifter, Kicker sound system and... an XBox 360. Full details in the press release after the break, and high-res photos from the show floor in the gallery below.

Gallery: Chicago 2009: Subaru Travis Pastrana Impreza WRX STI


Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Subaru]

Continue reading Chicago 2009: Subaru Impreza WRX STI Travis Pastrana Edition

Chicago 2009: Subaru Impreza WRX STI Travis Pastrana Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chicago 2009chicago auto showChicago2009ChicagoAutoShowPastranarallySubaruSubaru WRX STISubaruWrxStiTravis PastranaTravisPastranaWRCWRXFri, 13 Feb 2009 13:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Chicago 2009: Subaru and Vermont Sports Car build the Pastrana WRX STI]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/10/chicago-2008-subaru-and-vermont-sports-car-build-the-pastrana-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/10/chicago-2008-subaru-and-vermont-sports-car-build-the-pastrana-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/10/chicago-2008-subaru-and-vermont-sports-car-build-the-pastrana-w/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Subaru Impreza WRX STI Travis Pastrana Edition

Subaru may have halted its World Rally Championship campaign, but that isn't stopping the automaker from playing to the hopes and dreams of its enthusiast base and one of the sports' most visible characters. At the Chicago Auto Show, Subaru will take the wraps off the Impreza WRX STI Travis Pastana Edition, a one-make road-going rally machine almost entirely created by raiding the STI and SPT parts bin.

Subaru worked with Pastrana and Vermont Sports Car to create a mildly tuned variant of the STI, beginning with a custom down-pipe and a tweaked ECU. A front strut brace and a SPT lower chassis brace work in conjunction with satin black 18x9-inch Work Evolution wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich G-Force Super Sport A/S tires (sized 275/35 all around).

The rest of the mods are typical SEMA fare, including the yellow paint scheme, sticker job, carbon fiber hood and rear wing, along with a mesh grille, front chin spoiler, exhaust tips, mud flaps and PIAA 2100 HID driving lights. Inside, blue alcantara upholstery joins yellow piping, "199 Pastrana" embroidered logos, matching shift boot, steering wheel and parking brake handle and carbon fiber trim. Although the rally map light, short-throw shifter and passenger side metal foot rest may fool some rally fans some of the time, the Eclipse head unit, mass of Kicker speakers and Xbox 360 make it clear that this one-of-a-kind STI is little more than a show piece designed to draw attention to an otherwise spartan booth. Hit the jump for all the details.

Continue reading Chicago 2009: Subaru and Vermont Sports Car build the Pastrana WRX STI

Chicago 2009: Subaru and Vermont Sports Car build the Pastrana WRX STI originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After a report surfaced yesterday that Travis Pastrana sustained injuries to his hip and ankle during an unknown accident, rumors began to circulate that Tanner Foust would replace the X Games alumni and three-time RoC finalist in this weekend's Race of Champions. The rumors have been confirmed and Foust is currently prepping with teammate and NASCAR driver Carl Edwards to represent Team USA at the RoC Nations Cup.

The X-Games rally competitor, Speed TV presenter and one of the trio set to lead the U.S. version of Top Gear will join Mattias Ekstrom, Sebastian Loeb and Michael Schumacher at Wembley Stadium behind the wheel of KTM X-Bows, Ford Focus WRC cars and Abarth Assetto Corsas. Fifty-thousand spectators are expect to pack the arena and the RoC will air on Discover HD sometime early next year. If you want to catch Foust and the rest of the drivers in action this weekend, Freecaster.tv will begin airing the RoC live at 5:30 GMT (12:30 PM EST, 9:30 AM PST) this Sunday.

[Image: Jonathan Moore/Getty]

Continue reading Tanner Foust takes Travis Pastrana's place at the Race of Champions

Tanner Foust takes Travis Pastrana's place at the Race of Champions originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This may come as a shock (or, actually... not at all), but Travis Pastrana is rumored to have injured himself, which may render the oft-maimed X Games star unable to compete in the upcoming Race of Champions. The RoC pits the world's greatest drivers from various motorsport (and other sports) against each other piloting identical vehicles, including the new KTM X-Bow. Pastrana has already raced in the RoC back in 2003, 2006 and 2007 - always making at least the quarter finals and managing to reach the finals in '06. He was most recently in the news for winning a Gold medal in the Rally competition at this past summer's X Games 14 (shown above during competition at X Games 13, in which he also earned Gold).

This time, Pastrana is rumored to have broken a hip and an ankle, though we're not sure how the injuries were sustained. If Travis isn't able to make it, Top Gear USA co-host and rally racer extraordinaire Tanner Faust may join NASCAR driver Carl Edwards to represent Team USA for the event. Of course, we send our best wishes to Pastrana for a speedy recovery.

[Source: Auto Fiends, Photo by Harry How/Getty]

Travis Pastrana rumored to be injured, out of '08 Race of Champions originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for high-res gallery of rally at X Games 14

You can bitch and moan about the X Games version of rally racing being less pure than what you see on WRC, and while there are no trees whizzing by or bottomless pits in which to careen, the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA offered many opportunities for competitors to crash their cars in spectacular fashion. This year's event at X Games 14 was divided between driving on dirt within the stadium and pavement outside with a big jump smack dab in the center of the stadium giving fans the best view of the biggest car-nage.

The most spectacular example of mechanical mayhem from this past weekend's two-hour competition was during the quarterfinals in which Andrew Comrie-Picard didn't quite make the big jump and smacked his rear end on the lip of the receiving ramp, which flipped his car end over end (see above and more in gallery). His competitor at the time, Dave Mirra, who is an X Games alum competing for the first time in a car rather than on a bike, just had to finish to win. He tagged the wall halfway through the race, however, and was forced to finish without being able to turn left.

Find out what happened in the gold medal race, as well video of that race and the Mirra/Comrie-Picard duel after the jump, and view some photos of yesterday's Rally X action in the gallery below.

Gallery: X Games 14 (2008) - Rally


[Source: Expn]

Continue reading Rally at X Games 14 wows the crowds [SPOILER ALERT]

Rally at X Games 14 wows the crowds [SPOILER ALERT] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above to view video after the jump

Already a certifiably insane pair, Travis Pastrana and Ken Block have upped the nuttiness yet again. Going after the money shot for the cover of RacerX Magazine, an Impreza and a MotoX bike took to the wild blue yonder in search of photographic gold. We think they managed, and we'd repeat the jumps over and over whether or not the perfect shot was already on the memory card, just like the airborne teammates. Hit the jump to watch video.

[Source: 0-60]

Continue reading VIDEO: Holy Schnikes! Pastrana and Block at it again

VIDEO: Holy Schnikes! Pastrana and Block at it again originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for a few more pics of the hydrojump

Motocrosser, X-Game gold-medal winner and Subaru USA rally car driver extraordinaire Travis Pastrana has once again gone and done something so crazy that we wonder how the man can still be among the living. Previously, Pastrana became the first rider ever to land a double-backflip in competition, and now he's gone and done something else unthinkable: the hydrojump. After speeding to about 70 miles per hour, Pastrana hydroplaned his Suzuki dirtbike in five-foot deep water for 110 feet, ending after launching himself and his bike off a floating FMX ramp. According to his official site, they are still searching for Pastrana's bike at the bottom of the lake, a water-filled volcanic crater in Costa Rica. Apparently, the bike was bone-stock with no modifications in order to ensure that the hydroplaning was successful. We've made a gallery of a few more pictures, and the video of the jump will be available in November on the sixth Nitro Circus DVD.

Gallery: Travis Pastrana hydrojump


[Source: Travis Pastrana via Hell For Leather Magazine]

Continue reading Travis Pastrana invents and completes the hydrojump

Travis Pastrana invents and completes the hydrojump originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The first person to perform a double back flip on a bike has to have some loose screws. Fortunately, that quality has benefited Travis Pastrana's medal collection, and his no-holds bared attitude has translated well from motorcycles into rally racing. Pastrana and his co-driver Christian Edstrom have won the Rally America National Championship for the past two seasons with their Subaru WRX. Now, after one event into the 2008 season, Edstrom has announced his retirement from the Subaru Rally Team. Pastrana's spectacular attempts to perform double back flips in the WRX may have played some part in the co-driver's departure, although he declared his desire to spend more time with his family and the need to put more focus into his day job as the real motivation behind his move.

With no lack of talent under its roster, Subaru Rally Team has pegged World Rally Championship winning co-driver Derek Ringer to step in and strap down next to the X-Games King. Ringer previously partnered with the late Colin McRae on numerous occasions, including 1995 when they won the WRC title. The new Subaru Rally Team of Pastrana and Ringer will see action this weekend at the second round Rally America National Championship event in Salem, MO.

[Source: Driving Sports]

Travis Pastrana getting a new co-driver originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above to watch the video.

After amassing a healthy lead over their competitors, Subaru Rally Team USA driver Travis Pastrana and co-driver Christian Edstrom were able to play it cool for the second to last stage of the 2008 SnoDrift Rally last weekend. All was well as they made their way through the forest roads and fresh powder until one of God's creatures decided that now would be a good time to cross the ice-covered stage road. As the 2007 WRX STI careened down the road at over 60 mph, Bambi colliding with Pastrana's left front bumper, causing irreparable damage to the engine and ending the team's race as the Subaru coasted to a stop. We're not sure if it was Pastrana or Edstrom who let out the shriek just as the deer hit, but we've got to give them points for using far fewer expletives than we would've.

You can check the video after the jump and read a full account of the race over at Vermont Sports Car's website.

Thanks for the tip Chris!

Continue reading VIDEO: Rogue deer snatches victory from Pastrana at 2008 Snodrift Rally

VIDEO: Rogue deer snatches victory from Pastrana at 2008 Snodrift Rally originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christian edstromChristianEdstromdeerrallystisubarusubaru deerSubaruDeertravis pastranaTravisPastranawrxWed, 30 Jan 2008 15:03:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Ken Block jumps a Subie waaaaay too high]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/05/video-ken-block-jumps-a-subie-waaaaay-too-high/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/05/video-ken-block-jumps-a-subie-waaaaay-too-high/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/05/video-ken-block-jumps-a-subie-waaaaay-too-high/#commentsFiled under: , ,



We just saw Subaru's new lineup of rally drivers at the LA Auto Show last week, but little did we know we were in the presence of insanity. Ken Block, driver of the #43 car was on hand to show his team some support as they announced the contract extension of Travis Pastrana. It's hard to believe now, because Ken looked like a relatively normal guy, but he is certifiably insane. Who in his right mind would take a rally car, even one as capable as the WRX, and launch it 130 feet through the air?

Tipped to this story by 0-60 magazine, we managed to track down the YouTube video to show the jump in extremely poor quality, but in an attempt to prove that the still photos accompanying the story don't get taken for fakes. It seems cable fixture The Discovery Channel put this jump together for Stunt Junkies, "a TV Show where each episode revolves around a fearless feat never performed before," according to 0-60. Stunt Junkies shows how stunts are done, taking it from concept to completion. This particular episode is tentatively set to air in February. Click through the read link to hear what Block had to say about the jump, the X-Games, and fellow rallyers Colin McRae and Travis Pastrana. And to see some killer still shots too!

[Source: 0-60 Magazine]

VIDEO: Ken Block jumps a Subie waaaaay too high originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Dec 2006 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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At the LA Auto Show yesterday, Subaru of America announced that Travis Pastrana has agreed to a 3-year contract to race for Subaru Rally Team USA. Travis was an X-Games star and the youngest ever champion in Rally America last year. They used the LA show to hand out that trophy and announce the contract.

Subaru also had 2005 "Rookie of the Year," Ken Block on hand, confirming he will be back to drive the #43 STI in '07. Pastrana was joined by co-driver Christian Edstrom, who will stick by his slide (hardy har har) in the #199 Subaru. Although not at the show, Alex Gelsomino will also continue with co-driver Block in the #43 car. Should be a good season for Subaru and for rallying as Subaru has apparently committed to it for another 3 years at least.

Press release is after the jump.

[Source: Subaru]

Continue reading More stars for Subaru: Travis Pastrana signed on for 3 years

More stars for Subaru: Travis Pastrana signed on for 3 years originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Dec 2006 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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