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[Report: Austin F1 race site secured, track to be designed by Tilke]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/28/report-austin-f1-race-site-secured-track-to-be-designed-by-til/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/28/report-austin-f1-race-site-secured-track-to-be-designed-by-til/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/28/report-austin-f1-race-site-secured-track-to-be-designed-by-til/#commentsFiled under:



We now know who will be drawing up the Austin, Texas Formula One circuit. According to ESPN F1, the man behind the grand prix track will be none other than Hermann Tilke - the sport's favorite designer. His engineering firm has been behind over 10 tracks since 1998 and is currently working on at least four others, including the new facility here in the good ol' US of A.

ESPN F1 also says that a site has been selected for the course and that land has already been set aside. Even so, the location won't be made public for some time. That's all fine and good, but if the track is going to be completed by the supposed 2012 finish date, workers are going to need to start moving earth in a hurry. By everyone's best estimate, it will take at least three years to get everything in order for the race. At this point, organizers have less than half of that time.

There is some speculation that Austin's selection as the location of the U.S. Grand Prix is simply intended to scare Monticello Motor Club in New York into sweetening the deal for F1. Originally, the MMC was the frontrunner to host the race, and the facility is already set up to handle that level of motorsport. Right now, Monticello's organizers are waiting to see if Austin can pull everything together in time.

[Source: ESPN F1 | Image: JJWright85 via CC 2.0]

Report: Austin F1 race site secured, track to be designed by Tilke originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 May 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Austin Grand PrixAustinGrandPrixF1Formula oneFormulaOnehermann TilkeHermannTilkeMonticello Motor ClubMonticelloMotorClubTilkeUS Grand PrixUsGrandPrixFri, 28 May 2010 17:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19495544/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/05/28/report-austin-f1-race-site-secured-track-to-be-designed-by-til/19495544/article-detail.xml 19495544 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/austin-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/austin-630.jpg <![CDATA[Monticello Motor Club to host U.S. F1 race? Perhaps...]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/22/monticello-motor-club-to-host-u-s-f1-race/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/22/monticello-motor-club-to-host-u-s-f1-race/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/22/monticello-motor-club-to-host-u-s-f1-race/#commentsFiled under:

Monticello Motor Club


Formula One impresario Bernie Eccelstone wants to bring his series back to the United States, but he's apparently not keen on returning to Indy, site of the U.S. Grand Prix from 2000-2007. Instead, he hopes to stage the race in a big media market like New York City. While the idea of an F1 street course in Manhattan has surfaced repeatedly over the years, anyone familiar with the city will tell you the concept is clearly idiotic.

In recent days, however, a new venue has jumped in as a possible host: the Monticello Motor Club. Monticello is a private motorsports country club located about 75 miles northwest of Manhattan. The track has a maximum length of 4.1 miles with 22 turns depending on the configuration, and would make a magnificent site for an F1 race. While there is an airport nearby, and the track itself is new, having opened in 2008, there are currently no spectator facilities. If Monticello gets the deal to host a Grand Prix, a lot of work would have to be done, meaning a race probably wouldn't happen until at least 2012 or maybe even 2013.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Monticello Motor Club to host U.S. F1 race? Perhaps... originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 May 2010 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bernie Eccelstonebernie ecclestoneBernieEccelstoneBernieEcclestonef1formula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnemonticellomonticello motor clubMonticelloMotorClubUnited States Grand PrixUnitedStatesGrandPrixus grand prixUsGrandPrixSat, 22 May 2010 17:04:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19487602/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/05/22/monticello-motor-club-to-host-u-s-f1-race/19487602/article-detail.xml 19487602 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/monticello_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/monticello.jpg <![CDATA[CTS-V Challenge driver and M3 owner Michael Cooper gets pat on the back from BMW]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/14/cts-v-challenge-driver-and-m3-owner-michael-cooper-gets-pat-on-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/14/cts-v-challenge-driver-and-m3-owner-michael-cooper-gets-pat-on-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/14/cts-v-challenge-driver-and-m3-owner-michael-cooper-gets-pat-on-t/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Michael Cooper and his Cadillac CTS-V-challenging BMW M3 - click above for high-res image gallery

This guy. So, some of you no doubt remember the Cadillac CTS-V Challenge. If you don't, here's a refresher: General Motors vice-chairman Maximum Bob Lutz challenged any journalist to bring a CTS-V competitor to California's Laguna Seca where the 77-year-old Lutz would mop the floor with he/she and whatever fancy-pants, Euro sedan they done brung. Of course, the event got moved to New York's Monticello Motor Club, and to guarantee that the Cadillac didn't lose, GM brought in a backup pilot, John Hienricy, the company's noted hot shoe engineer and race car driver. And then every other manufacturer (Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar) decided not to play into GM's marketing ploy, and withdrew their cars' support.

To be frank, we here at Autoblog toyed with the idea of throwing our hoon-hat in the ring, but after Heinricy became Cadillac's ace in the hole, we figured the whole challenge was unwinnable (we've driven with Mr. Heinricy - he's that good). While it would no doubt have been fun, totally playing into General Motor's hands like that (by also losing), well, not so much. Luckily, privateer Michael Cooper and his BMW M3 wasn't in on our conference call.

Mr. Cooper showed up to the Caddy Challenge and laid down a 2:50.424, beating not only Bob Lutz's 2:56.321 in the way more powerful CTS-V, but our pals Lawrence Ulrich (2:53:026) and Jack Baruth (2:51:153), both of whom were driving the big supercharged Caddy. Not surprisingly, Heinricy blew the doors off of every single person, ripping off a 2:46.560. Probably while flossing. But let's not overlook young Michael Cooper, who with 142 less horsepower and a boatload less torque to work with came in less than four seconds behind John (ringer *cough* ringer) Hienricy.

BMW was so taken by Mr. Cooper's feat of good driving that they reportedly invited him down to their North American headquarters in New Jersey and gave him a BMW Performance Multifunction Steering Wheel. How else to thank the guy that tossed such an effective monkey wrench into GM's marketing plans? BMW installed the wheel in Cooper's M3 while he was given a ride in a special BMW Performance enhanced 335i Sedan. So, one more time, a hearty Autoblog congratulations to Michael Cooper and his Cadillac CTS-V challenging BMW M3. The one with the fancy new steering wheel.


Gallery: Michael Cooper's BMW M3


[Source: BMW Blog]

CTS-V Challenge driver and M3 owner Michael Cooper gets pat on the back from BMW originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 BMW M32009 M32009BmwM32009M3BMWBMW M3BMW M3 SedanBmwM3BmwM3SedanBob LutzBobLutzCadillacCadillac CTS-VCadillac CTS-V ChallengeCadillacCts-vCadillacCts-vChallengeJohn HienricyJohnHienricylutzMaximum Bob LutzMaximumBobLutzMicahel CooperMicahelCoopermonticellomonticello motor clubMonticelloMotorClubMon, 14 Dec 2009 17:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19278377/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/14/cts-v-challenge-driver-and-m3-owner-michael-cooper-gets-pat-on-t/19278377/article-detail.xml 19278377 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/630bmw_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/630bmw.jpg <![CDATA[V-Series Challenge participants announced, no surprises inside]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/v-series-challenge-participants-announced-no-surprises-inside/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/v-series-challenge-participants-announced-no-surprises-inside/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/v-series-challenge-participants-announced-no-surprises-inside/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

2009 Cadillac CTS-V - Click above for high-res image gallery

In less than a week, Bob Lutz will be joined by a few automotive journalists and a handful of regular Joes at the Monticello Motor Club in New York to race some fast sedans around a fast track to see if anything with four doors can outrun a Cadillac CTS-V. Sounds like fun. But, after reading through the preliminary list of applicants The General has accepted, it's looking more and more like the cards are stacked heavily in GM's favor.

The three participating journalists include Jalopnik's Wes Siler, who will be racing Lutz in a Jaguar XFR; Jack Baruth representing The Truth About Cars and freelancer and New York Times contributor Lawrence Ulrich. We have no idea what the latter two journos will be piloting, but we do know that four private car owners will bring along their personal contenders: a BMW M3, a BMW M5, an Audi RS4 and finally, a, um, Cadillac CTS-V.

According to GM's Cadillac Notes Blog, there's room for a couple more contestants... and we're really hoping that someone (preferably someone with track experience) steps up to the plate with a Porsche Panamera and something with AMG written across the decklid to turn this into a proper sampling of potential spoilers.


Gallery: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V


[Source: Cadillac Notes]

V-Series Challenge participants announced, no surprises inside originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 Cadillac CTS-V2009CadillacCts-v2010 cadillac cts-v2010CadillacCts-vBob LutzBobLutzcadillacCadillac CTS-Vcadillac cts-v challengeCadillacCts-vCadillacCts-vChallengeCTS-Vcts-v challengeCts-vChallengelutzmonticellomonticello motor clubMonticelloMotorClubFri, 23 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19207898/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/23/v-series-challenge-participants-announced-no-surprises-inside/19207898/article-detail.xml 19207898 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/cadillac-cts-v-ring_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/cadillac-cts-v-ring.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: Bob Lutz prepares for V-Series Challenge at Monticello]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/video-bob-lutz-prepares-for-v-series-challenge-at-monticello/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/video-bob-lutz-prepares-for-v-series-challenge-at-monticello/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/video-bob-lutz-prepares-for-v-series-challenge-at-monticello/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Bob Lutz prepares for V-Series Challenge - Click above to watch video after the jump

The pieces are now in place for the V-Series Challenge set to take place at the Monticello Motor Club on October 29. Behind the wheel of a Cadillac CTS-V, Bob Lutz will take on the competition in a run-what-you-brung type shoot out against players chosen by GM from the automotive media and general population. The video after the jump shows Lutz already on site practicing his lines on Monticello's 22-turn track (we're not sure yet what track configuration will be used). Maximum Bob will clearly have an advantage in terms of knowing the track, though General Motors is also bringing along ace pilot and former GMer John Heinricy in case the competition comes with some pro-am or above drivers.

Sounds like a good time, though we've heard through the grapevine that despite receiving around 120 applicants, the five vehicles chosen by GM to take on the CTS-V don't stand much of a chance. One we do know that will be present is a Jaguar XFR piloted by Wes Siler from Jalopnik.

We also asked Porsche about this whole business, since it would seem that the Panamera Turbo has one of the best shots at beating a CTS-V. Unless an actual owner was chosen by GM to be a challenger, however, there won't be a Panamera Turbo present. Porsche told us that they weren't approving any loans of the Panamera Turbo to the media for this event, and we've heard rumblings of the same sort from Mercedes-Benz concerning its AMG-fortified hardware.

We can't blame them. This is a GM event and the deck is stacked in their favor. Letting an auto journalist represent your brand in this super sedan pissing contest seems like a lose-lose proposition for any automaker in its right mind. Jaguar apparently disagrees, but we'll see what happens come October 29.

UPDATE: GM got in touch with us to clarify that the video footage was shot at the company's Milford Proving Grounds, and that Lutz has never raced at Monticello before.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading VIDEO: Bob Lutz prepares for V-Series Challenge at Monticello

VIDEO: Bob Lutz prepares for V-Series Challenge at Monticello originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above to view lap video of Monticello Motor Club

They say money can't buy happiness and that is indeed true. But it can buy one helluva good time, especially if you have a lot of it. Case in point is the new Monticello Motor Club. We first told you about Monticello a month ago when it officially opened. The club's management describes the facility as a Four Seasons resort, but instead of a golf course there is one of the best race tracks you'll find anywhere. The facility isn't yet complete but the track layout is already in place. Two layers of asphalt have been put down already with a third going on this fall. Once the final layer of pavement is in place, kerbing will added at the corners. The guard rails and fencing is all in place and a temporary club house has been erected while the permanent club-house and garage facilities are being constructed. We got to spend an afternoon lapping the full 4.1-mile, 22-turn course in the first outing of the new 2009 Cadillac CTS-V and the track is heaven on earth for those who love to drive. Read on after the jump for more.

Gallery: Monticello Motor Club


Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V

Continue reading VIDEO: Hot laps at the Monticello Motor Club

VIDEO: Hot laps at the Monticello Motor Club originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Science-fiction writers have predicted this time and time again: one day mankind would discover Heaven somewhere in the vastness of Space. Nobody ever figured it would be in upstate New York, though. But so be it: the Monticello Motor Club, a seemingly heavenly combination of country club and racing track that just opened yesterday.

The concept is to provide a challenging circuit with the amenities and exclusivity of a country club. The track runs over four miles long with 22 corners and can be set up in any of 12 different configurations. Members can drive their own cars - at an hour and a half drive (or 25-min helicopter ride) it's the closest track to Manhattan - to the club, have them stored their, or rent from a fleet of sportscars (even a claimed F1 racer) on site. Advanced driving and racing courses will be on offer, as well as logistical planning for members' entry into racing events. And when the moneyed club member gets exhausted from driving all out on the track - or, as the club puts it, for accompanying spouses - the Monticello Motor Club offers a five-star club house, complete with spa and a planned luxury hotel. Membership, which is limited to a maximum of 500, costs $125,000 to join and $7,500 minimum each year, but with facilities like these and charter members including Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Glickenhaus and Jeff Gordon, you can bet New York's car-crazed elite will be lining up to join... and we'll be cozying up for a guest pass.

[Source: Monticello Motor Club]

Continue reading Monticello Motor Club: Exclusive track opens near NYC

Monticello Motor Club: Exclusive track opens near NYC originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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