Autoblog

Watch a one-hour documentary on the Isle of Man TT

Zach Bowman — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Motorcycle, UK

If you're looking for a little film to distract you from the inevitable approach of the new year, we may have just the thing for you. Al Jazeera Corespondent has taken an in-depth look at what is arguably the world's most dangerous motorsports event in a one-hour documentary. Isle of Man TT: A Dangerous Addiction follows the legendary motorcycle race from a variety of points of view. With interviews with small-budget privateer teams and glimpses at the biggest names in the race, the documentary does an impressive job of conveying the event's allure.

First held in 1907, the Isle of Man TT is largely held as the last great motorcycle competition. Held on public roads, the event sees racers course wide-open across a circuit of over 37 miles that puts them within a whisper of abrupt stone walls, lamp posts, deep ditches and steep drop offs. Riders aren't afforded the comfortable gravel pits or forgiving tire barriers of a well-manicured track, which mean a mistake here can mean serious injury or death. Sound insane? Check the video below to see what brings competitors back year after year.

Continue reading Watch a one-hour documentary on the Isle of Man TT

Watch a one-hour documentary on the Isle of Man TT originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Dec 2012 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Driving on the edge with Subaru at the Isle of Man

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Hatchback, Subaru, UK

Learning The Delicate Balance Between Living Life And Cheating Death

"Don't lose the taillamps in front of you."

Those were the only words on my mind as our rolling convoy plowed its way over hill and dale on the Isle of Man, up Snaefell Mountain and back down again. Thing is, those taillamps were little more than faint twinkling halos shrouded in obscurity, nodding up and down obeisantly to the undulating road famously known by locals as the Mountain Course.

Those taillamps were the only sign that, up ahead, our procession of 2013 Subaru BRZ coupes was being led by one Mark Higgins, he who currently owns the four-wheeled lap record at the 37.8-mile-long loop of asphalt we're traversing. He who has taken home five British Rally Championship trophies, was born right here on the Isle of Man and is the odds-on favorite to win his home Manx Rally year after year. Put another way, we're following a seasoned professional who knows this track better than he knows the wrinkles, pores and follicles gracing the back of his own hand. And, while we're well shy of the 115 mile-per-hour average that constitutes his record-setting lap, to say we're driving gingerly is to say it takes a bit of arithmetic to land on the moon. As for us? This is the first time we've ever put rubber to the ground on the Isle.

Making matters a wee bit more interesting is the steady downpour of rain we've come to know and loathe on the Isle - enough of it, in fact, that the Senior TT motorcycle race, the most sought-after win of the entire Isle of Man race schedule, was canceled for the first time for any reason other than a World War - not to mention a layer of fog so thick in patches that we couldn't tell if it were a fellow BRZ pilot we were following on the Mountain Course or Charon's ferry over the River Styx.

Once more, with feeling: "Do NOT lose the taillamps in front of you!"

Continue reading Driving on the edge with Subaru at the Isle of Man

Driving on the edge with Subaru at the Isle of Man originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch Guy Martin outrun a helicopter at the Isle of Man

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 22 May 2012 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Videos, Suzuki, Motorcycle, UK, Racing

While there are some specialty machines that are capable of relatively high velocity, your average run-of-the-mill helicopter can't sustain speeds much higher than 100 miles per hour. That said, because of the heli's ability to climb high into the air with cameramen packing extreme telephoto lenses, actually managing to trick a chopper pilot into losing you - in scenes sure to be played out monthly on national news channels - is another matter entirely.

So, what would it take to actually outrun a helicopter? As demonstrated by professional racer Guy Martin in the video after the break, a modern superbike has more than enough speed to do the trick. In the case of Martin's modified Suzuki GSX-R1000, which boasts a terminal velocity in excess of 200 mph, all you'd need is a road straight enough to pin the throttle for a dozen seconds or so...

All of which brings us to the Isle of Man, nestled away in the Irish Sea. Every year, legions of racers and fans line the 38-mile-long Snaefell Mountain Course to watch racers like Guy Martin test the depths of insanity as they seek to outpace their rivals on what basically amounts to closed surface streets. See what it looks like as a helicopter does its best to follow the action in the video pasted below.

Continue reading Watch Guy Martin outrun a helicopter at the Isle of Man

Watch Guy Martin outrun a helicopter at the Isle of Man originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 May 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Isle of Man unveils Top Gear postage stamps

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Government/Legal, UK

The Isle of Man, probably best known for the Isle of Man TT motorcycle race, is producing a series of stamps celebrating another well-known wheeled effort: Top Gear. There are six stamps in the collection, each "lavishly tooled" with an image of a Top Gear creation, such as the homemade electric car or the much-modified Toyota pickup from Iceland built to tackle the North Pole.

It isn't the Isle's first stab at commemorative, vehicular-themed stamps: earlier this year it produced a set for the of Isle of Man TT, and sold chunks of the tarmac course to go with it. If you're keen to lick the backs of Top Gear challengers, follow the jump for the press release on the new postage.

Continue reading Isle of Man unveils Top Gear postage stamps

Isle of Man unveils Top Gear postage stamps originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Traffic cop at Isle of Man TT shows lighter side of policing

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Videos, Humor

Isle of Man cop keeps crowd laughing - Click above to watch video after the jump

The 2011 Isle of Man TT has come and gone. Like everything in this day and age, it will continue to live on thanks to videos posted on the internet. One such video has nothing to do with the actual race, instead it shows a local policeman who knows how to have fun on the job.

The British Crown Dependency sees plenty of traffic around the time of the TT, and this particular cop has been tasked with directing the portion flowing through a central part of town. A crowd has gathered, and the policeman knows how to keep them entertained. He forces one rider to do a sobriety test, stages an impromptu drag race, lets another rider do a burnout while he tries to get the co-rider's phone number and basically keeps things lighthearted, much to the delight of the onlookers. Click past the jump to check out how one cop keeps things fun on the Isle of Man.

Continue reading Traffic cop at Isle of Man TT shows lighter side of policing

Traffic cop at Isle of Man TT shows lighter side of policing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru driver Mark Higgins has "the moment of his life" at Isle of Man

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Performance, Europe, Videos, Subaru, UK

Subaru WRX STI at the Isle of Man - Click above to watch the videos after the break

Subaru, a major sponsor of the Isle of Man TT for 2011, had no trouble whatsoever in setting a new four-wheeled lap record around the famed 37-mile mountain course on the remote British Isle. Driver Mark Higgins managed to circle the track in a WRX STI sedan in just 19:56.7 with an average speed of 113 miles per hour. Nicely done.

Turns out that record was set during a so-called practice lap, and it wasn't the only time Higgins had a go at the course in his Subaru. Not all of his runs were as uneventful as that practice lap. As you'll see in the two videos pasted after the break, Higgins' heroic driving skills were truly put to the test less than a minute into one of his runs.

Higgins barely manages to keep the lightly modified STI (for safety purposes, the car had a roll cage, race harnesses and a fire extinguisher that were thankfully not put to use) under control, calling his near-miss the "moment of his life." His passenger, Chris Cantle, stays remarkably stoic in the face of a 150-mile-per-hour fiery near-death crash. See for yourself in the video after the break.

Continue reading Subaru driver Mark Higgins has "the moment of his life" at Isle of Man

Subaru driver Mark Higgins has "the moment of his life" at Isle of Man originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru obliterates Isle of Man lap record with stock WRX STI

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Performance, Europe, Subaru, UK

Subaru WRX STI breaks the road-car Isle of Man TT lap record - Click above for high-res image

We talk about the Nürburgring a lot, but perhaps it's time we start devoting more ink to the Isle of Man. Located between Great Britain and Ireland, the tiny bit of green plays host to one of the most impressive displays of speed on the planet.

The annual Isle of Man TT plays out on a 37.8-mile course made up of public roads, which are closed down during race days. It's run by motorcyclists, and ~~crazy sonsofbitches~~ skilled pilots can complete the loop in under 18 minutes. Curious how long it would take an automobile to run the same course? Back in 1990, driver Tony Pond was curious as well, and he pushed a Rover 827 Vitesse around the island in 21 minutes, becoming the first driver to average 100 miles per hour in a car on the course.

Subaru decided to have a go at that record, and sent a WRX STI sedan and driver Mark Higgins to the Isle of Man. The car is a stock STI, with the exception of a roll-cage, race harness, fire extinguisher and adjusted springs and dampers to handle the various bumps found on the public roadway. How'd Higgins do? He smashed Pond's record by two minutes, with a time of 19:56.7 and an average speed of 113 miles per hour. Higgins stated, "Setting the record was both the most exhilarating and the most frightening thing I have ever done." We believe you, and we salute you Mr. Higgins, on a rather impressive bit of driving.

Click past the jump for the full press release and more information on the record-setting run.

Continue reading Subaru obliterates Isle of Man lap record with stock WRX STI

Subaru obliterates Isle of Man lap record with stock WRX STI originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Jeremy Clarkson's vacation home vandalized after right-of-way argument

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Celebrities

Vandals on the Isle of Man tore down sections of a fence that runs around Jeremy Clarkson's £1.2 million vacation house. The vandals are likely angry about Clarkson's disruption of a public right-of-way that he said disturbed his privacy.

The Top Gear presenter has been in a legal battle with walkers on the Isle of Man for six years, after he diverted a footpath that he thought ran too close to his vacation house. The walkers say Clarkson obstructed a footpath he had no right to obstruct, since it's a public right-of-way. So far, the government has sided with the walkers.

The walkers started a group a few years ago called PROWL, Public Rights of Way Langness, to better fight the battle, but PROWL denies any knowledge and involvement in the vandalism.

[Source: The Daily Mail]

Report: Jeremy Clarkson's vacation home vandalized after right-of-way argument originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Closer to the Edge is Isle of Man insanity

Zach Bowman — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Motorcycle, UK

Closer to the Edge trailer - Click above to watch video after the jump

Regardless of where you stand on the two wheels versus four debate, chances are that you respect the Isle of Man TT. The race is a living relic of motorsport that can trace its roots all the way back to 1907, and while most other racing venues have seen their essence diluted by ever evolving technology, regulations and commercialization, the Isle of Man continues to be an event dominated by one pursuit above all else: go faster. The course is a twisting loop of public roads that snake through open country side and dense village centers, meaning that nearly any mistake translates into immediate disaster.

Guy Martin has famously podiumed at the race eight times now but has yet to take top honors. Closer to the Edge, a new documentary, has been worked up to take a look inside both Martin's two-wheeled exploits and what makes the Isle of Man TT so special. The film is set to be released on April 22nd, but in the meantime, we highly suggest you hit the jump to check out the trailer.

[Source: Two Wheels Blog]

Continue reading Video: Closer to the Edge is Isle of Man insanity

Video: Closer to the Edge is Isle of Man insanity originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Isle of Man considering TT World Series

Aaron Richardson — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 11:35:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Motorcycle

The Isle of Man TT Races could become an international series as soon as 2014, according to the British island's government. The Isle of Man's Department of Economic Development is considering expanding its most-recognized brand into a multi-national racing series.

The idea here is to expand the global profile of the island itself, and build a revenue stream for racers and the Isle of Man alike. Right now the idea is in its infancy, and it remains to be seen whether the the Isle of Man will go through with it.

Details like where additional races would be held are yet to be worked out. Expansion of the TT, which started in 1907, is certainly an exiting thought, so we'll keep our fingers crossed.

[Source: AllAboutBikes]

Isle of Man considering TT World Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Mar 2011 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Fifth Gear joins David Coulthard on the Isle of Man with Benz's SLS AMG

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Mercedes-Benz, UK, Luxury

Fifth Gear's Tiff Needell tries to outdo David Coulthard in the SLS AMG - Click above to watch video after the jump

David Coulthard was called to the Isle of Man to pilot an SLS AMG for a scene in a 3-D film. To ensure that DC could strut the coupe's stuff, some of the island's roads were closed to the public. That meant a place with no speed limits also had no traffic. And that meant Fifth Gear's Tiff Needell felt the need to join DC and take the wheel himself. His goal: beat David's top speed of 160 miles per hour. The sound of him making the effort alone is worth following the jump for the video.

Gallery: Alubeam 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG in Mexico

[Source: Fifth Gear]

Continue reading Video: Fifth Gear joins David Coulthard on the Isle of Man with Benz's SLS AMG

Video: Fifth Gear joins David Coulthard on the Isle of Man with Benz's SLS AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Graham creates a trophy watch for the Tourist Trophy

Noah Joseph — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Motorcycle

The Isle of Man is a veritable gearhead's paradise. It's located in the Irish Sea right between England and Ireland, but is its own independent island. Like Monaco (and a few other examples around the world), the Isle of Man has no speed limits. Which could explain, in part at least, why Jeremy Clarkson and Nigel Mansell chose to live there.

The Isle also plays host to the famous Tourist Trophy - commonly known as the TT - an all-out romp through the Manx countryside, covering 1,300 ft of elevation at ludicrous speeds: The first time it was run, in 1907, the race winner's average speed came in around 38 miles per hour. Today? 132 mph, hitting a top speed in excess of 200 mph.

For such a test of testicular fortitude, you're not going to hand out just any chintzy trophy, now are you? Of course not. That's why Anglo-Swiss watchmaker Graham-London - sponsor of the event for the past two years running - was charged to make a special run of timepieces to be awarded to the winners in each of the 18 categories.

The Chronofighter Oversize Tourist Trophy Bi-Compax Chronograph packs a Calibre G1734 automatic movement with built-in shock absorption into a giant 47-mm PVD-coated stainless steel case. The galvanized black face features a 30-minute stopwatch counter styled after a 30-mph speed limit road sign, with the second dial bearing the Triskelion, the Manx coat of arms. It also features a domed, double-anti-reflective sapphire crystal, date indicator, and non-slip guard over the fast-action actuator. Only 211 examples will be made, but none will be as coveted as those 18 handed to the race winners.

[Source: Graham-London]

Graham creates a trophy watch for the Tourist Trophy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Isle of Man Austrian style: KTM joins the TT for 2010

Devon Brozek — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Motorcycle, Racing

2009 KTM RC8 R - Click above for high-res image gallery

When the first brave competitors sought glory on the Isle of Man in 1907, winning brands went by names like Matchless, Peugeot and Norton. Over one hundred years later, Austrian manufacturer KTM will take a chance to add its name to that prestigious list.

Known around the world as one of the most challenging venues on two wheels, the Isle of Man TT (tourist trophy) race is not only rich in history and heritage but also entertainment value. The 37-mile mountain course with its many real-world obstacles is not only extremely difficult but has also proved to exact high levels of concentration if competitors wish not to sacrifice man and machine to the tarmac. With straightaway speeds approaching 200 miles per hour, followed by bike launching bumps, berms and a collection of what we would call the most intimidating cobblestone walls on the planet, the Isle of Man is not for the faint of heart.

UK-based and KTM-backed Redline Motorcycles will take the flagship RC8R and pilot James Edmeades across the drink this June, marking the first time a KTM has skirted the island for competition in the Superbike, Superstock and Senior TT Races. The company hopes this orange streak will extend off the rock and legitimize the RC8's place in competitive road racing events... as well as the hearts of fans the world over. At the very least, KTM and Redline know it will be an historic occasion as they tread in the tire marks of a century's worth of dedicated enthusiasts... naturally, they just want to do their treading from the top of the leader board.

Gallery: KTM RC8 R

[Source: BBC]

Isle of Man Austrian style: KTM joins the TT for 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motoczysz releases pics of E1pc electric superbike, complete with iPhone gauges!

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Green, Technology, Videos, Motorcycle

Motoczysz E1pc - Click above for high-res image gallery

Finally, speculation on the appearance of the Motoczysz E1pc can end as the fledgling American motorcycle maker has released official pictures of the machine that will take on the rest of the field at the upcoming TTXGP zero-emission eGrandPrix motorcycle race at the Isle of Man. Things are shaping up largely as we expected, with the E1pc sharing its basic layout and look - including the innovative front suspension design - with Michael Czysz's earlier race bike, the C1, which never actually made it to a MotoGP race.

Such a fate appears highly unlikely for the E1pc, and Czysz is understandably excited to see one of his two-wheelers hit the track in actual competition. In a post on Motoczysz's official blog, Czysz says, "In less than 24 hours I leave to go to the biggest race of my life, not because it is the largest, not because it is the fastest but because it will be the first time a MotoCzysz motorcycle will compete in an FIM sanctioned event."

As far as we're concerned, he has a right to be proud of his team's accomplishment. Looking over the pictures of the E1pc, we can see that there are three motors (one spins backwards) and 10 battery modules that appear to be swappable in relatively easy fashion. Perhaps the geekiest (in a good way, of course) bit is the iPhone mounted directly in front of the rider, which acts as the electric bike's instrument panel. Check out the photo gallery below for more, and be sure to click past the break for a short video of the bike in action.

Gallery: Motoczysz electric motorcycle

[Source: Motoczysz]

Continue reading Motoczysz releases pics of E1pc electric superbike, complete with iPhone gauges!

Motoczysz releases pics of E1pc electric superbike, complete with iPhone gauges! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Norton NRV588 rotary-powered motorcycle in action

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Motorcycle

Norton NRV588 rotary-powered motorcycle - Click above to watch the video

Undoubtedly, the company that's most often associated with rotary engine technology is Mazda. The Japanese automaker has been building Wankel powerplants for decades, with the current RX-8 standing alone as the only new automobile powered by the innovative engine architecture. In reality, though, many firms have experimented with the rotary engine, including Suzuki, which offered a rotary-powered motorcycle in the Seventies. Up until the mid-Nineties, European racetracks were filled with the buzzing sounds of Wankel-engined Norton motorcycles terrorizing their larger four-stoke twin-cylinder competitors and winning races such as the Isle of Man TT in 1992.

That unmistakable buzzsaw sound is set to make a comeback at this year's running at the Isle of Man as the latest Norton revival takes to the track. Click past the break for a video of the rotary-powered NRV588 as it makes a few laps at Donington Park and the dyno. Pay special attention to the exposed exhaust pipes, which reportedly get so hot they need to be made from Inconel.

[Source: Visordown via Asphalt and Rubber]

Continue reading VIDEO: Norton NRV588 rotary-powered motorcycle in action

VIDEO: Norton NRV588 rotary-powered motorcycle in action originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hamilton gets the stamp of approval from Isle of Man Post Office

Noah Joseph — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Government/Legal, UK, Celebrities

Few countries have such unimpeachable car-crazed credentials than the Isle of Man. The semi-autonomous British island has no speed limits, boasts a fearsome TT road course, and is home to a handful of motorbike champions, former F1 world champion Nigel Mansell and even Jeremy Clarkson has a house there. Apparently, the love of motorsports hasn't escaped any crevice of Manx society -- not even the postal service -- which has announced it is issuing a set of stamps to honor Britain's new golden boy, recently crowned Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The six-stamp set, which will be released on January 15, will feature images from Hamilton's triumphant season, and follows the British Racing Greats which the Philatelic Bureau of the Isle of Man Post Office released earlier this year. A set of stamps might not quite measure up against the McLaren F1 LM supercar which Hamilton was promised as a reward for the title, but who knows, maybe letters will arrive at their destination a little faster with Lewis driving. Press release after the jump.

[Source: Isle of Man Post Office]

Continue reading Hamilton gets the stamp of approval from Isle of Man Post Office

Hamilton gets the stamp of approval from Isle of Man Post Office originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi TT-S to be official car of the Tourist Trophy races

Michael Harley — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Europe, Audi, UK

Click above for high-res gallery of the Audi TT-S

The Isle of Man credits itself as hosting the world's oldest races, the Tourist Trophy (TT). The 32-mile long island, located in the Irish Sea (it's the body of water between the United Kingdom and Ireland), held the first motorcycle and car races back in 1905. Now, for the first time in more than a century, a car sharing the same name as the event has been named the "Official Car" of the event. You guessed it, event organizers have chosen the Audi TT as the "Official Car." It's not just any TT that gets the honor -- it's the hot new 265-hp Audi TT-S. Audi will be supplying eight cars for the event at the end of May. Driven by race officials (yes, at non-race speeds), they will help with the course inspection and other logistics during the week-long event. Oh, we should add, it is a motorcycle race. Doh!

Gallery: Audi TT-S

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi TT-S to be official car of the Tourist Trophy races

Audi TT-S to be official car of the Tourist Trophy races originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Karting the Isle of Man

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 19:37:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos

Okay, so it's a typical grainy YouTube clip, and even appears to be black and white on first blush, but sit back and enjoy it for what it is and you won't be disappointed. Take a blast around the Isle of Man on a go-kart. In the rain. As you'll discover, even with these minuscule motors, passing can be a chore. We don't have a lot of information about the event, but we do know that there is an Isle of Man Kart Racing Association (IOMKRA) if this looks like your kind of thing. Follow the jump to see a few minutes of this insane action that we swear aren't sped up.

[Source: DieselStation]

Continue reading VIDEO: Karting the Isle of Man

VIDEO: Karting the Isle of Man originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Aug 2007 19:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Australia to rein in unlimited speed roads

Scott Davis — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 09:05:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

The high-speed bellow of a 911 Turbo undergoing hot weather, high speed testing has been forever muted in the Australian Northern Territory. One of the last sacred places on Earth where you can drive at unlimited speeds, legally, has been emasculated by government regulation. They have decided to impose a 110 km/h speed limit on all open roads and 130 km/h on only 4 of its major highways.

Statistics showing that people die at a rate that is three times higher on these unlimited roads than others might have some affect on the decision. It seems that one person dies and nine are critically injured every week. They also have issues with traffic lights as 2,613 cars ran red lights at only 11 intersections in a 30-day stretch.

This decision will no doubt put a damper on the likes of Porsche, Honda, and Ford to return to the region for testing. There are but a few places left for unlimited speed, public-road testing, the majority of them suffering the same fate due to the ignorant few ruining it for us all. Only stretches of the German inter-city Autobahn, rural parts of the Isle of Man and some roads in India are left.

Big brother strikes again! And if we're not careful, again, and again, and again...

[Source: motorauthority.com]

Australia to rein in unlimited speed roads originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Nov 2006 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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