Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Video: <i>Fifth Gear</i> joins David Coulthard on the Isle of Man with Benz's SLS AMG]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/19/video-fifth-gear-joins-david-coulthard-on-the-isle-of-ma/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/19/video-fifth-gear-joins-david-coulthard-on-the-isle-of-ma/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/19/video-fifth-gear-joins-david-coulthard-on-the-isle-of-ma/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

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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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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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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>IomTtIsle of ManIsleOfManJames EdmeadesJamesEdmeadesktmKTM RC8KtmRc8redlineRedline motorcyclesRedlineMotorcyclesroad racingRoadRacingsuperbikeTT racingTtRacingMon, 01 Mar 2010 18:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19377277/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/03/01/isle-of-man-austrian-style-ktm-joins-the-tt-for-2010/19377277/article-detail.xml 19377277 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/ktm-rc8r_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/ktm-rc8r.jpg <![CDATA[Motoczysz releases pics of E1pc electric superbike, complete with iPhone gauges!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/08/motoczysz-releases-pics-of-e1pc-electric-superbike-complete-wit/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/08/motoczysz-releases-pics-of-e1pc-electric-superbike-complete-wit/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/08/motoczysz-releases-pics-of-e1pc-electric-superbike-complete-wit/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


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

Motoczysz

[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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple iPhoneAppleIphoneautobloggreenelectric motorcycle raceelectric motorcyclesElectricMotorcycleRaceElectricMotorcyclesiPhoneisle of manisle of man ttxgpIsleOfManIsleOfManTtxgpmotoczyszmotoczysz e1motoczysz e1pcmotoczysz electric motorcyclemotoczysz ttxgpMotoczyszE1MotoczyszE1pcMotoczyszElectricMotorcycleMotoczyszTtxgpttxgpMon, 08 Jun 2009 09:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19058910/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/06/08/motoczysz-releases-pics-of-e1pc-electric-superbike-complete-wit/19058910/article-detail.xml 19058910 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/06/motoczysz_e1pc_official_lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2009/06/motoczysz_e1pc_official_lead.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: Norton NRV588 rotary-powered motorcycle in action]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/14/video-norton-nrv588-rotary-powered-motorcycle-in-action/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/14/video-norton-nrv588-rotary-powered-motorcycle-in-action/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/14/video-norton-nrv588-rotary-powered-motorcycle-in-action/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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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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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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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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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>go-kartsIsle of ManIsleOfMankartingFri, 10 Aug 2007 19:37:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/961151/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/08/10/video-karting-the-isle-of-man/961151/article-detail.xml 961151 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/08/picture-4_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/08/picture-4.png <![CDATA[Australia to rein in unlimited speed roads]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/06/australia-to-reign-in-unlimited-speed-roads/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/06/australia-to-reign-in-unlimited-speed-roads/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/06/australia-to-reign-in-unlimited-speed-roads/#commentsFiled under:

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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AustraliaAutbahnFordHindaIsle of ManIsleOfManNorther TerritoryNortherTerritoryNTPorscheMon, 06 Nov 2006 09:05:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/696553/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/11/06/australia-to-reign-in-unlimited-speed-roads/696553/article-detail.xml 696553 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/11/nt_unlimited_main-(450-x-295)_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/11/nt_unlimited_main-(450-x-295).jpg -1 2