Autoblog

Prop-driven VW Beetle hopes to land in Bonneville [w/video]

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 17:04:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Hatchback, Volkswagen, Specialty

Sometimes you meet folks who, when they tell you "Hey, I have an idea," your reflex response is to stop what you're doing and tell yourself, "Get ready...." We imagine Mike Niemans is one of those folks, and the idea in question is putting a tank engine on a Type 1 Volkswagen Beetle. Not just any old tank engine - as if there were such a thing when we're talking about putting them in cars - but a 668-cubic-inch, 220-horsepower radial engine built by Continental in 1941 and procured from an M2 tank.

In the image above Nieman is using the tank clutch hub to get the motor set up, but in one of the images below you can see what really belongs back there is: a two-inch, reverse-pitch prop taken from a wind generator. He says there's enough mojo with the propeller action to get the car rolling down the runway like a jet when he gives it gas - and speaking of gas, the engine's been refitted to run on propane.

After a few safety tweaks Nieman's going to take the matte-black Beetle to Bonneville, "put the prop on, let her go and see what happens!" We can't wait to see the video of that. There are two shakedown videos below to get you ready.

Continue reading Prop-driven VW Beetle hopes to land in Bonneville [w/video]

Prop-driven VW Beetle hopes to land in Bonneville [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jan 2013 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Confederate X132 Hellcat Combat prototype breaks Bonneville record [w/video]

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Motorcycle, Specialty

James Hoegh's mission to go faster than 168.912 mph on a naked bike on the Bonneville Salt Flats has met success. Hoegh traversed the salt during the BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials at 172.211 mph, entering the books in the APF3000 class as the rider on the world's fastest big block American V-twin.

The prototype X132 Hellcat Combat ran with the 132-cubic-inch S&S XWedge engine used in the retail Hellcat, given a knife's-edge tune and plenty of performance bits so it could push through the air faster than any other.

There are three ways to follow in Hoegh's footsteps: break the record yourself, buy one of the limited-production-run Combat Hellcats that Confederate says will be coming next year, or become a physical therapist, which is Hoegh's day job. While you decide, there's a video chronicling the achievement below.

Continue reading Confederate X132 Hellcat Combat prototype breaks Bonneville record [w/video]

Confederate X132 Hellcat Combat prototype breaks Bonneville record [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Confederate heads to Bonneville with prototype X132 Hellcat Combat

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Motorcycle, Specialty

In 2010, James Hoegh rode his Confederate P120 Fighter motorcycle across the Bonneville Salt Flats and reached 159 miles per hour. A little later he went back and got that up to 162.6 mph. This year he's going back to the BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials in Bonneville to try and hit 170 mph, which would break the record of 168.912 mph in the APF3000 class, set last year by Wink Ellis.

Heogh is sticking with Confederate for the attempt, but he's switched over to the X132 Hellcat Combat, a specially developed prototype version of the X132 Hellcat. The one-of-a-kind bike maintains the 132-cubic-inch S&S XWedge engine of the standard Hellcat and fits upgraded kit like a custom dual-track intake, CNC-ported heads with shorter cylinders, new rocker arms, a radiused crankshaft and a different compression ratio.

It won't be one-of-a-kind for long though, with Confederate set to produce "a limited number" of Hellcat Combats early next year. The trials were held this past weekend and results weren't available at the time of writing, but if Hoegh manages to break the record with his, we imagine the production run will sell out even faster than limited-edition Confederates usually do. Scroll down below for the press release.

Continue reading Confederate heads to Bonneville with prototype X132 Hellcat Combat

Confederate heads to Bonneville with prototype X132 Hellcat Combat originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid sets world speed record at 185 mph

Sebastian Blanco — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Sedan, Volkswagen

After blasting down the Bonneville Salt Flats at 185 miles per hour, the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid is now the "world's fastest hybrid," according to VW.

The modified Jetta Hybrid was driven by Motor Trend Associate Road Test Editor Carlos Lago, and the official speed was 185.394 mph (298.363 kph). That is "the fastest speed ever achieved by a production-based hybrid car on the famed Bonneville Salt Flats." Production-based here still means that the powertrain was modified by Volkswagen engineers in Germany. We can see aerodynamic wheels, but exact changes that were implemented were not described, only that the car was "run according to SCTA rules." The production Jetta Hybrid gets 45 miles per gallon and has a 0-60 time of 9.0 seconds. It uses a four-cylinder, 1.4-liter turbocharged, 150-horsepower, TSI gasoline engine mated to a 20-kW (27-hp) electric motor.

Sure, 185 mph is impressive, but it's not that far ahead of the record set in May by a huge hybrid Volvo truck in the flying kilometer: 165 mph. We suggest a head-to-head.

Continue reading Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid sets world speed record at 185 mph

Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid sets world speed record at 185 mph originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Triumph Bonneville Speed Twin Concept is what two-wheel dreams are made of

Zach Bowman — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:13:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorcycle, UK, Design/Style

We don't envy the designers who pen bikes for the likes of Triumph or Harley-Davidson. Machines like the Bonneville and Sportster are inherently popular for their nostalgic looks, and die-hard fans are the first to cry foul when the bikes wander too far from the original recipe. As the Triumph Bonneville Speed Twin Concept elegantly illustrates, that's a crying shame. As the brainchild of English designers Roy Norton and Tom Kasher, the Speed Twin is a modern take on the classic Bonneville. The two started with a Bonnie as a base platform and proceeded to update the machine's aesthetics accordingly.

The conceit began with the simple notion of what the Bonneville could have evolved into were it not so saddled with the nostalgia millstone. The two contacted Triumph while working for a design studio shortly after college, and Triumph Product Manager Simon Warburton gave the concept the go-ahead. The result is what you see here.

The concept uses a heavily modified Bonneville frame in conjunction with muscular-looking girder forks. Barbour cloth covers both the seats and the grips. With an 865cc engine, Thruxton brakes and unique gauges and levers, the Speed Twin is distilled awesome. Warburton is apparently pleased with the final result as well, and says some of the elements may make their way to future Triumph models. Head over to BikeExif for the full story.

Triumph Bonneville Speed Twin Concept is what two-wheel dreams are made of originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Snowboards + ATV + salt + dash of crazy = saltboarding

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Motorcycle

Ah, the Bonneville Salt flats. One of the last true bastions of speed left in America, where men and women take cars, trucks, motorcycles and just about anything else with wheels to the very limits of man and machine's capabilities.

Of course, there's no rule that the salt flats are to be used only for wheeled objects. As demonstrated in the video after the break, it's quite possible to hit the salt using something a bit more... simple. Like, say, a snowboard. Or, in this case, a saltboard.

True, snowboards usually see use on the snow, as their name implies. And while salt is more often used to melt said snow, in this case, it acts more like heavy grit sandpaper. We bet it hurts a bit worse than snow if you happen to fall. And fall they do. Here's hoping they managed to keep salt out of their wounds... but we doubt it.

It's worth mentioning that this is the same group of crazys that took adult-size trikes up to speeds of 55 miles per hour down a massive hill. Apparently, utter disregard for life and limb appears to be a prerequisite to make an appearance in one of Devin Graham's videos. Check out the group's saltboarding heroics after the break.

Continue reading Snowboards + ATV + salt + dash of crazy = saltboarding

Snowboards + ATV + salt + dash of crazy = saltboarding originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breedlove says he's going back after 800 mph [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:15:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Videos, Specialty, Racing

Hemmings reports that Craig Breedlove is preparing to jump back into the land speed record game in an attempt to break through the 800 mph barrier. Breedlove made a name for himself while vying with Art Arfons for the world land speed record back in the '60s. His efforts eventually landed him the title in his jet-powered Sonic 1, and he would later set a total of 23 FIA speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats in a 1965 Shelby Daytona Coupe. Breedlove was recently named the recipient of the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum Spirit of Competition Award, becoming only the third individual to receive the award since its inception.

During the ceremony, the racer announced that he intends to return to Bonneville in 2013 - the 50th anniversary of his first record on the salt flats - with someone else at the controls. Breedlove already has a pair of GE jet engines lying around as well as some of the engineering necessary to put the power units to work in a LSR car. At this point, it's unclear exactly who will pilot Breedlove's new machine or what the design will look like, but a motorsports legend returning to the scene of his greatest triumph is something worth keeping tabs on, even if he isn't in the driver's seat.

For a quick refresher on Breedlove in his glory days, watch the excellent in-period video of a 1963 record-breaking effort after the jump.

Continue reading Breedlove says he's going back after 800 mph [w/video]

Breedlove says he's going back after 800 mph [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Depth of Speed looks at the camaraderie and beauty found at Bonneville

Jeff Glucker — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 19:05:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Videos

Our favorite automotive web series has returned with a new episode. Josh Clason and his Depth of Speed crew traveled to the Bonneville Salt Flats. In the new video, A Pinch of Salt, the drivers interviewed all point out that the motorsports atmosphere in the middle of this barren patch of Utah salt is uniquely friendly. It's another well-told story with excellent production values. Click past the jump to check it out.

Continue reading Depth of Speed looks at the camaraderie and beauty found at Bonneville

Depth of Speed looks at the camaraderie and beauty found at Bonneville originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Aug 2011 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Škoda tops 227 mph, claims 2.0-liter production speed record at Bonneville

Noah Joseph — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Skoda, Racing

If you thought a 202-mph run seemed like a hell of a pace for a Škoda Octavia, hold on to your hats, folks, because the Czech automaker's team at Bonneville has set a new record.

With a beefed-up turbocharger and intercooler, enhanced aerodynamics and the requisite safety modifications, the 600-horsepower Octavia vRS Bonneville Special set the record in the 2.0-liter forced-induction production car category with a certified 227.070 mph run. Actually, the Škoda hit a top speed of 228.647 mph through the traps on the return run, but as per regulations, that was averaged out with the 225.513 mph it hit on the five-mile run out across the salt flats.

Any way you look at it, that's one heck of a run, claiming the record for Škoda and helping it celebrate the tenth anniversary of its vRS performance badge. Follow the jump for the official announcement and scope out the updated image gallery for more.

Continue reading Škoda tops 227 mph, claims 2.0-liter production speed record at Bonneville

Škoda tops 227 mph, claims 2.0-liter production speed record at Bonneville originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford F-250 Super Duty sets diesel and biodiesel land speed records

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Truck, Etc., Ford

The Bonneville Salt Flats are a place where records are constantly made and broken. Vehicles of all shapes and sizes are driven, towed or pushed out to the brilliantly white sodium chloride desert where drivers embark on a quest for high speeds. You can expect to see production cars, motorcycles, purpose-built streamliners and vehicles that look ready to leave the flat plain and attack the sky. One vehicle you would not expect to pull away from the start line, however, is a Ford F-250 Super Duty.

Brent Hajek sees the world a little differently.

The Hajek Motorsports team prepped a 2011 Ford F-250 Super Duty for high-speed blasts under the Bonneville sun. The truck is a nearly stock diesel-engined model equipped with the new turbocharged 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8. Hajek Motorsports swapped out the fuel injectors, fuel pump and turbo to get more go-juice into the engine at a greater rate. Inside, a roll cage and five-point harness were added for safety while moonbeam wheel caps attempt to streamline the high-speed brick. Other than the moderate upgrades and sponsor stickers, the Hajek F-250 is a run-of-the-mill production vehicle that can run on standard diesel or B20 biodiesel. There's no exact number with regards to the upgraded performance figures, but Hajek Motorsports states that it's pushed horsepower and torque up by 50 percent over the stock engine's 400 horsepower and 800 pound-feet of grunt.

What sort of speed does that translate to on the salt flats? A new B Production Diesel Truck record of 171.123 miles per hour, which bests the previous record 166.850 mph held by a Duramax-powered GMC pickup. The Hajek team also filled the truck up with B20 biodiesel and set out to beat the previous record of 130.614 mph. They smashed that one, with a speed of 182 miles per hour. That's a pretty ~~terrifying~~ good clip for the large pickup. Kudos are in order for Brent Hajek and his team.

Continue reading Ford F-250 Super Duty sets diesel and biodiesel land speed records

Ford F-250 Super Duty sets diesel and biodiesel land speed records originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Škoda Octavia vRS blows past 200 mph at Bonneville

Noah Joseph — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Skoda, Racing

There are places you expect to find a Škoda, and places you don't. European streets, for example, fall squarely into the former category. Dried up lake beds in the United States, however, belong firmly in the latter. But someone forgot to tell that to the people who make the Czech Volkswagen derivatives.

In between ripping the top off the Fabia for the Wörthersee show and preparing to enter the British Touring Car Championship, that cadre of lead-footed Škoda personnel announced their intention to take the Octavia to the slat flats at Bonneville. The occasion was the tenth anniversary of the automaker's vRS performance brand, and while their target - breaching 200 miles per hour - may have seemed distant to anyone who's ever sat in the old Jetta with new clothes, they got theirs.

The world's fastest Škoda achieved an official run of 202.15 mph four days ahead of schedule at the [currently ongoing] Bonneville Speed Week. The Octavia vRS with which they did it was aerodynamically optimized, dropped closer to the ground, reinforced with a roll cage and other safety equipment and fitted with a larger turbocharger and intercooler. Otherwise, however, it's the same Octavia vRS available at dealers overseas.

Far from calling it a day and heading back to the Czech Republic, Škoda's Bonneville team are sticking around in pursuit of the 2.0-liter production car land speed record, which currently stands at 216 mph. We'll be watching, but in the meantime you can follow the jump for the full press release and scope out the images in the gallery for more.

Continue reading Škoda Octavia vRS blows past 200 mph at Bonneville

Škoda Octavia vRS blows past 200 mph at Bonneville originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault 4 panel wagon headed to Bonneville

Noah Joseph — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 18:39:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Wagon, Renault, Racing

Renault 4 Bonneville racer - Click above for high-res images

Folks down at the salt flats in Utah are used to seeing all manner of machinery making high-speed runs, but this year they're set to get an eye-full of European machinery. Not only is Skoda taking a modified Octavia to Bonneville, but Renault is now set to join the fray with a unique adaptation of the classic Renault 4.

The iconic car celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and one of the ways the French automaker plans on marking the occasion is by taking this modified example to the salt flats to see what she'll do.

Underneath the classic bodywork sits a 290-horsepower turbo four from the 1983 Renault 5 touring car, with the gearbox and front brakes from a Renault 25 GTX Turbo and the rear brakes from a Clio. It's also got a full roll cage, racing bucket with harness, fire extinguisher and parachute.

The special 4 was prepared by a special team called the Triplets of Bonneville, in a collaboration between Renault's classic and motorsport divisions, and is expected to top 280 km/h (174 mph) when it hits the salt mid-August.

Renault 4 panel wagon headed to Bonneville originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skoda looks to crack 200 mph in Octavia vRS at Bonneville

Noah Joseph — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 02:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Skoda, Racing

Skoda Octavia vRS Bonneville special - Click above for high-res images

The Volkswagen Group is flush with vehicles capable of earth-shattering velocities. Porsche. Lamborghini. Bugatti. Even Bentley has demonstrated its propensity for the v-max with its Ice Speed Record Continental. And Audi models are regularly tuned for high-speed runs at Nardo. But Skoda? We've got to be kidding, right?

No. No we're not. The British unit of VW's Czech subsidiary is planning a run at the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats with the vehicle you see here. Based on the Octavia vRS - itself a derivative of the old, old Volkswagen Jetta - this beast has had its 2.0-liter four turbocharged up to 592 horsepower to hit an anticipated top speed of more than 200 miles per hour.

Skoda brought tuning house Revo Technik on board for the job, fitting a KW suspension, a limited-slip differential and special rolling stock. The modified sedan will debut at Bonneville Speed Week in August, celebrating 10 years of the marque's vRS performance badge. Details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Skoda looks to crack 200 mph in Octavia vRS at Bonneville

Skoda looks to crack 200 mph in Octavia vRS at Bonneville originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 02:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barrett-Jackson auctioning Pontiac ambulance that served as JFK hearse

Noah Joseph — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Wagon, Auctions, Pontiac, Police/Emergency, Military

1963 Pontiac Bonneville JFK ambulance - Click above for high-res image gallery

Few ambulances have ever been as well-known as the Pontiac that transported the remains of the late President John F. Kennedy after his assassination. And now it's going up for auction.

The 1963 Pontiac Bonneville ambulance was one of only 69 of its kind built, and only 15 commissioned for military application. This particular example was assigned to Bethesda Naval Hospital in DC, and was sent to collect the flag-draped casket of the slain commander-in-chief from Air Force One upon its arrival at Andrews Air Force Base and bring it, accompanied by grieving widow Jacqueline and brother Robert F. Kennedy, to the hospital and then on to Capitol Hill.

The ambulance was retired from service several years later and sold as surplus before landing in the collection of its current owner, who is now putting it up for auction at the 40th-anniversary Barrett-Jackson extravaganza in Scottsdale later this month. It's in apparent immaculate original condition and has been featured in magazines and at the 2010 national convention of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association, where it was lauded with the Gold Award.

Gallery: 1963 Pontiac Bonneville JFK ambulance

[Source: Speed | Images: PontiacsOnline]

Barrett-Jackson auctioning Pontiac ambulance that served as JFK hearse originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2010: Spectre Performance shows off its Bonneville Land Speed Racer *UPDATE

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 22:01:00 EST

Spectre Performance Bonneville Land Speed Racer - Click above for high-res image gallery

The fastest Cadillac we've ever driven wears a V badge on its rear end. Its engine produces 556 horsepower and the car has a top speed of 190 miles per hour. There's no doubt it's one of the fastest cars available right now... but not quite fast enough for Spectre Performance. The team at Spectre is trying to break a speed record and they've employed Cadillac power to do so. The Spectre Performance Speedliner Bonneville Land Speed Racer boasts a 529 cubic-inch turbocharged Caddy V8 engine, which has been shoehorned into the sleek body of this highly engineered salt flats speedster.

The Speedliner, with its Cadillac mill, was able to hit 336 miles per hour during Bonneville Speed Week earlier in the year - a mind-numbing speed that is still short of the team's goal. Well short, in fact, as the team hopes to reach a magical 400 mph. Clearly, this is one of the few cars at SEMA 2010 that is all-show and all-go. Check it out for yourself in the gallery below.

*UPDATE: Our contrarian emeritus, Jonny Lieberman, passed along a tip that the Spectre Speedliner hit 409 miles per hour at Bonneville. Congrats!

Gallery: SEMA 2010: Spectre Performance Bonneville Land Speed Racer

SEMA 2010: Spectre Performance shows off its Bonneville Land Speed Racer *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 22:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Suzuki details 2010 SEMA plans

Jeff Glucker — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 14:41:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Suzuki

Suzuki Kizashi Bonneville Special - Click above for high-res image gallery

Suzuki has announced its plans for this week's 2010 SEMA show. The automaker is bringing three cars out to the Las Vegas convention center: A Kizashi modified by Delta Tech Engineering, an Equator pickup truck customized by ICON Vehicle Dynamics, and the salt flats-blasting, 203-mph Kizashi Bonneville Special.

The Suzuki Kizashi Bonneville Special is a joint effort between American Suzuki Motor Corporation and Road & Track, to capture the blown gas coupe record out at the salt flats. The record did indeed fall when the Kizashi, driven by R&T's Sam Mitani, hit an average speed of 203.720 mph.

Delta Tech is known for lightening cars, and it did just that to its SEMA-bound sedan by gutting the interior and body shell, then putting it back together with components to keep the weight down. Underhood, interior, and exterior modifications result in a Suzuki Kizashi that's ready to tackle the track but can still be driven home afterward.

ICON Vehicle Dynamics' Suzuki Equator pickup features a beefed-up motor, lifted and upgraded suspension, plus added lighting for nighttime trail running. The ICON Equator is a mean off-roader with an aggressive stance and menacing black paint job. We can't wait to lay eyes on it in person.

Gallery: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi Bonneville Special

[Source: Suzuki]

Continue reading Suzuki details 2010 SEMA plans

Suzuki details 2010 SEMA plans originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Oct 2010 14:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 1985 288 GTO lays claim to World's Fastest Ferrari with 275.4 mph run

Zach Bowman — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Coupe, Videos, Ferrari, Racing

World's Fastest Ferrari - Click above to watch video after the jump

We've seen a lot of special action from the Bonneville Salt Flats this year, but this just about takes the cake. The guys from P4 by Norwood, a Ferrari tuning shop, are laying claim to the title of the World's Fastest Ferrari with a record run of 275.4 mph averaged over two sprints. Using a stock-bodied 1985 288 GTO, owner Steve Trafton managed to snag not only the title of world's fastest Ferrari, but the world's fastest sports car (AA/BFMS) at the same time. The Prancing Horse beat out the previous record holder by just over 3 mph.

Interestingly enough, Thrafton skipped using a high-dollar Italian mill for this car's beating heart. Instead, there's a 540 cubic-inch big block General Motors V8 wedged down into that slinky body. Two Borg Warner 80-mm turbos help shove a full 17 pounds of boost into the eight-pot. Thrafton isn't saying exactly how much power the car is laying down, but it has to be enough to move a planet on command if need be. Hit the jump to watch the Ferrari do what it does best on the Utah salt.

[Sources: Seattle Post Intelligencer, YouTube]

Continue reading Video: 1985 288 GTO lays claim to World's Fastest Ferrari with 275.4 mph run

Video: 1985 288 GTO lays claim to World's Fastest Ferrari with 275.4 mph run originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bobby Cleveland brings Fastest Lawnmower crown back to USA [w/video]

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Videos, Specialty, Racing

World's Fastest Lawnmower - Click above to watch video after the jump

One minute, you're the king of going fast on a lawnmower. The next, you're number two behind a man from the UK. That's what happened to Bobby Cleveland, but he didn't sit idly by on his grass clippings - he went out and brought the title of World's Fastest Lawnmower back to the United States with a new speed record of 96 miles per hour.

Cleveland set a world record back in 2006, with a speed of 80.792 mph. His mark was then bested by Don Wales whose Project Runningblade mower was clocked going 87.833 mph. Bobby Cleveland wanted to be the first to cross the 100 mile per hour threshold, but 96 mph is still a mighty leap over Wales' mark. The way these two are going back and forth it's only a matter of time before one of them hits that magic number, but until they do, check out Cleveland's latest run after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Bobby Cleveland brings Fastest Lawnmower crown back to USA [w/video]

Bobby Cleveland brings Fastest Lawnmower crown back to USA [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 'Ode to Salt' is high speed in glorious slow motion

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Videos

Ode to Salt - Click above to watch video after the jump

Josh Clayson visited Speed Week at the Bonneville Salt Flats and walked away smitten. Not only that, he walked away with some stunning high-definition footage of machines encrusted in and racing over the sodium chloride expanse. Set to a little music and some subtle editing, it's as poetic as the Pablo Neruda poem that accompanies it. You'll find it after the jump.

[Source: Jalopy Journal]

Continue reading Video: 'Ode to Salt' is high speed in glorious slow motion

Video: 'Ode to Salt' is high speed in glorious slow motion originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wrecked Ferrari Enzo reborn as Bonneville Salt Flats racer?

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Ferrari, Specialty

In a rebuilding job worthy of The Six Million Dollar Man, Richard Loosee's T-Top Ferrari Enzo destroyed in a 200-mile-per-hour shunt has been reborn to take on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Gone are the T-Tops, replaced by something just as outrageous: a set of turbos that will boost the Enzo's V12 to between 850 and 1,000 horsepower when gunning time comes. And they were able to repair and reuse the car's original block.

The wrecked stallion required an enormous amount of work, including repairing the carbon fiber hoop of the original tub which was fractured in the crash. The car is running during Speed Week at Bonneville, but details are still scarce. However, according to insiders on the project at Ferrari Chat, the powerplant is aided by two MoTeC M600 Engine Management Systems and Injector Dynamics ID1000 injectors. It also has a nosecone to keep the front end stable above 225 mph, a fitting match for those exhaust trumpets. Hat tips to Erik and Brandon

[Source: Daily Derbi]

Wrecked Ferrari Enzo reborn as Bonneville Salt Flats racer? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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