Autoblog

2011 Italian Grand Prix put the pedal to the metal [spoilers]

Noah Joseph — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 11:05:00 EST

Over the last five years, four different drivers have won the Italian Grand Prix. All of them were on the grid for this year's race. In fact, if you go back for ten, the only Monza winner who isn't still in F1 is Juan Pablo Montoya, long since departed for the heavier machines and banked ovals of NASCAR. There's just something about the track just outside of Milan that puts champions in their groove and beckons them back again, year after year.

So, who would win this year? Would Michael Schumacher notch up his sixth win at Monza? Would Rubens Barrichello overcome all the odds to win his fourth? Would Alonso or Vettel rack up their third? Or would we see a new winner altogether? Follow the jump to find out.

Continue reading 2011 Italian Grand Prix put the pedal to the metal [spoilers]

2011 Italian Grand Prix put the pedal to the metal [spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Sep 2011 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spada unveils Codatronca Monza roadster in all its glory [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Performance

Spada Codatronca Monza - Click above for high-res image gallery

The father-son design team of Ercole and Paolo Spada made a real splash a few years back when they unveiled the Codatronca. Inspired by the Kamm-tailed Alfas Ercole designed back in the day for Zagato, the Codatronca looked something like a cross between a Chevrolet Corvette, a Lamborghini and Darth Vader's helmet.

Radical as the design was, however, it wasn't quite extreme enough for Aznom. So the Italian coachbuilder and aftermarket firm commissioned Spada to build the car you see here: the Codatronca Monza.

Initially unveiled at the Top Marques Monaco a couple of months ago, Spada has only now revealed the details in full. The roadster packs the same 710-horspower twin-supercharged 7.0-liter V8 (presumably based on the Z06's LS7), but in an open-roof bodystyle named after the legendary Italian racing circuit. Weighing in at only 2,600 lbs, the show car features a stripped-out cockpit with Sabelt buckets and full data acquisition system centered around the F1-style steering wheel. It rides on a fully adjustable suspension with OZ Ultraleggera wheels, Pirelli PZero Corsa tires and Brembo brakes with the same ABS system employed in the FIA GT3 series. The Spada boys say these factors add up to a 0-62 mph time of three seconds flat and a face-shredding 208 mph top end.

The Monza was commissioned by Aznom as a demonstration vehicle, but Spada says it would built more to order, and will develop and additional Barchetta derivative that will presumably offer a little more in the way of creature comforts at the expense of the Monza's extremity. In the meantime you can check out the full high-res image mega gallery along with the press release and video after the jump for a closer look.

Continue reading Spada unveils Codatronca Monza roadster in all its glory [w/video]

Spada unveils Codatronca Monza roadster in all its glory [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ken Blocked: Rally driver too big for F1 car

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc.

Ken Block was prepared to suit up for some seat time in Pirelli's Toyota TF109 Formula One test car. Problem is, the car wasn't prepared to suit Block. The man is too large for the seat, which typically holds diminutive F1 pilots. No, he's not too fat, Block is just too tall to fit inside the car.

According to Autosport, Block was able to wrangle his Gymkhana-built body into the cockpit of the slim racer, but once team members tried to attach the steering wheel, fit issues became clear. Those who helped organize the test are looking into alternative vehicles for Block to drive. His test date was scheduled for August 5 at Monza's Italian Grand Prix. No word on whether the test has been pushed to a later date pending further modifications to the car or.... umm... Block.

Ken Blocked: Rally driver too big for F1 car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'55 Ferrari 750 Monza speeds from show stand to race track to silver screen to auction block

Noah Joseph — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Performance, Auctions, Ferrari, Racing

1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spider chassis #0492M - Click above for high-res image gallery

Classic cars change hands all the time. What brings them to the spotlight is usually one of several factors. It might have a track record distinguished by race wins. It might be in particularly good shape. It might have had a starring role in a major motion picture. It might be a particular rarity from a small production run, or maybe it served to showcase the manufacturer's offerings at a major auto show. Having all these factors come together on one specific automobile is a rarity, but that's what we're looking at with this stunning 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spider.

One of only 35 built, Ferrari displayed this Spider at the 1955 Brussels Motor Show, after which it was brought to America by famed importer Luigi Chinetti who sold it to his rival Porsche importer John von Neumann in Los Angeles. Neumann set the Monza on an aggressive race program up and down the West Coast that saw it win twice and score another nine podiums at various sportscar racing events, bringing on board, among others, no less a talent than Phil Hill to man the wheel.

Most notably, the car was driven by Fred Astair in a fictionalized post-apocalyptic grand prix in the movie On The Beach. Since then, chassis 0492M has been part of several prestigious collections, but after a comprehensive two-year restoration is now heading to the auction block at Pebble Beach, where RM Auctions will be putting it up for grabs with prices reportedly expected to top $3 million. With a 260-horsepower 3.0-liter DOHC four similar to that found in the 500 TRC that RM sold for $4 million at Villa d'Este, this Monza Spider is described by one noted Ferrari expert as the best she's ever seen.

Follow the jump for more details in the auction listing and scope out the spectacular high-resolution images in the gallery for a closer look.

Continue reading '55 Ferrari 750 Monza speeds from show stand to race track to silver screen to auction block

'55 Ferrari 750 Monza speeds from show stand to race track to silver screen to auction block originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ken Block set for F1 test at Monza

Noah Joseph — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Event Alert

Even with a skill set as specific as vehicular control, there are polar opposites. At one end you have F1 drivers, who position what essentially amount to fighter jets on wheels with pin-point precision. At the other end sits the likes of Ken Block, the Gymkhana master who has wowed us all time and again by drifting his rally car sideways through the tightest of spots and in the grandest of fashion. The two may seem entirely irreconcilable, but they're about to come together for what promises to be an interesting crossover.

While visiting Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix, it was announced that Block is headed for his first drive in an F1 car this August. But rather than test, as many others have, for a specific team, Block will be the invited guest of Pirelli - the company that supplies the tires both for his rally car and for the entire F1 grid.

The drive will take place at Monza - the legendary home of the Italian Grand Prix - on August 5th. There, Block will take to the wheel of the TF109, the car which Toyota fielded in the 2009 championship before withdrawing from the series altogether, and which Pirelli now uses to test its various F1 rubber compounds.

Block says this test will "take hooning to a whole new level." Are we smelling an F1 Gymkhana video in the making? Too early to say, but we can certainly dream. Official announcement after the jump.

Continue reading Ken Block set for F1 test at Monza

Ken Block set for F1 test at Monza originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari 458 Challenge and GT3 racers debut at Monza [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:30:00 EST

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

Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's no shortage of race tracks in Italy and around the world that are commonly associated with Ferrari. The factory has its own Fiorano circuit on premises, and the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola - former host of the San Marino Grand Prix - is just fifty miles away. But the spiritual home of the Tifosi, Ferrari's legions of fans, is at Monza. A fitting location, then, to launch the latest Ferrari sports racers.

This past weekend, Monza hosted a number of production-based races including the first rounds of both the European and Italian leagues of the Ferrari Challenge series. After launching the new 458 Challenge spec racer at the Bologna Motor Show several months ago, this was the first time the car was actually being raced. And what would you know, it actually won its first outing! (Okay, it is a spec racing series, but the new 458 Italia racers did beat out the older F430 models that are still being used by some teams.)

The Challenge, however, wasn't the only version of the 458 that made its debut this past weekend at Monza. So did the 458 Italia GT3, which slots in between the GT2-spec 458 GTC and the aforementioned Challenge racer. The GT3 car was prepared by Michelotto Automobili - the same factory-endorsed racing garage responsible for countless racing Ferraris as well as the development of the 288 GTO and F40 - and campaigned by AF Corse in two races of the GT Sprint International Series that supports the Superstars touring car series, where it finished second and third overall on its race debuts - second only to the F430 GTC it replaces.

Want to see what it's like to lap Monza in a 458 racer? To coincide with the launch of the new machinery, Ferrari has released on-board video footage of the 458 Challenge with Stefano Gai, the defending champion who dominated this weekend's national series race from start to finish. Follow the jump to watch and check out the pair of press releases.

Gallery: Ferrari 458 Challenge

[Source: Ferrari]

Continue reading Ferrari 458 Challenge and GT3 racers debut at Monza [w/video]

Ferrari 458 Challenge and GT3 racers debut at Monza [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spada Codatronca Monza leaks onto the interwebs

Aaron Richardson — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Europe, Chevrolet, Specialty, Luxury

2012 Spada Codatronca Monza - Click above for image gallery

Images of the Spada Codatronca Monza boutique sports car have leaked onto the internet ahead of its debut at this year's Top Marques Monaco show. The Codatronca, you'll recall, is a Chevrolet Corvette Z06-engined low-volume supercar cooked up by Ercole Spada. Spada cut his teeth working for Zagato, BMW, and IDEA Institute before starting his own company, Spadaconcept.

The Codatronca is the company's first attempt at a supercar and it uses an aluminum spaceframe and magnesium engine cradle coupled with the aforementioned Corvette engine. To make things just a tad more interesting, Spada adds twin superchargers to the already-potent 427, bringing the horsepower total to a heady 700.

As quoted by AllCarIndex, the Monza will have a scant 2,500-pound curb weight, meaning that Spada's creation ought to hit 60 mph in three seconds flat and top out at nearly 210 mph.

Gallery: 2012 Spada Codatronca

[Source: Spada via AllCarIndex]

Spada Codatronca Monza leaks onto the interwebs originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spada to unveil track-focused Codatronca Monza roadster in Monaco?

Noah Joseph — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Performance, Europe, Misc. Auto Shows

You may remember the Spada Codatronca from a few years back. The controversially-styled (see below for high-res image gallery) coachbuilt Corvette was unveiled in 2008 at the Top Marques show in Monaco, bearing radical bodywork penned by former Zagato designer Ercole Spada and his son Paolo. Now the company is coming back to the exclusive Monte Carlo exposition with a new version.

All we know from the Top Marques Monaco website is that Spada is planning an even more extreme, track-focused version of the Codatronca. Which is no mean feat, since the supercar already packs a twin-supercharged 7.0-liter LS7 V8 with 600 or 700 horsepower, depending on specification. But word has it that the track monster - called "Monza" after the famous Italian racetrack - will also feature an open interpretation of the design, backed up by the fuzzy rendering above circulating the interwebs.

We'll have to sit tight and wait to see what comes of this, but between this and the Soleil Anadi (stay tuned for more on that), this year's Top Marques show is looking good for Italian coachbuilt Corvettes.

Gallery: SpadaConcept Codatronca

[Source: Top Marques Monaco]

Spada to unveil track-focused Codatronca Monza roadster in Monaco? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Lapping Monza in the Gumpert Apollo

Aaron Richardson — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 19:54:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Specialty

2010 Gumpert Apollo - Click above to watch the video after the jump

This video comes to us from a tipster named Marco, who's pals with the owner of the only Gumpert Apollo in Italy. On a recent winter's afternoon, Marco's friend invited him along for a couple laps of Monza in the 800-horsepower extraterrestrial German supercar.

Marco points out that this particular Gumpert has been massaged a little to meet the power put down by the Apollo's race-prepared sibling. Marco's buddy gives this thing a decent workout, but understandably holds back from really thrashing his rare-as-bird's-teeth bespoke rocket. See for yourself after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Marco!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Lapping Monza in the Gumpert Apollo

Video: Lapping Monza in the Gumpert Apollo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Romeo Ferraris and Fenice Milano pay tribute to Monza with limited edition Abarth 500

Noah Joseph — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Fiat

Abarth 500 Monza by Fenice Milano & Romeo Ferraris - Click above for high-res image gallery

Like weddings in the Deep South, everything with cars is relative. For instance, we'd strain to call most cars with racing stripes running every which way "subtle." But when the treatment comes from Fenice Milano, anything short of gold chrome is understated. See? Relative.

The Milanese design house is the same that has gilded everything from the Fiat 500C to the Rolls-Royce Ghost. But for this special edition, they've teamed up with Romeo Ferraris, the Italian tuning house that's given us custom Corvettes, Land Rovers and of course... Fiat 500s. Okay, so between them there's no lack of love for the retro hatchback, and this is the embodiment of their shared passion: the Abarth 500 Monza.

A limited-edition tribute to the legendary grand prix circuit, the Monza edition is limited to just ten examples. So what makes it so special? Well it's got red and blue racing stripes - the track's official colors - that do a wicked Herby the Love Bug impression, sans Lindsay Lohan (for better or worse). But while the stripes continue into the white leather interior, this isn't just a trim package.

Romeo Ferraris stepped in to nearly double the engine's output, upping the horsepower figure from 135 to 260. They also threw in 280mm Brembo disc brakes, 205/40-R17 Yokohama tires and a full aero kit. And in case that wasn't enough with the special treatment, each example gets a brass plaque with the owner's name, an edition number on the shifter and a whole mess of Monza logos all over the place. Which may seem a little over the top, but again: think relative. And while you're mulling that over, check out the high-resolution images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Abarth 500 Monza by Fenice Milano & Romeo Ferraris

[Source: TopSpeed, autoblog.nl]

Romeo Ferraris and Fenice Milano pay tribute to Monza with limited edition Abarth 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Titans clash at the 2010 Italian Grand Prix [Spoilers]

Noah Joseph — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 14:19:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe

2010 Italian Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery

"When all is said and done," wrote the English poet Margaret Sackville, "monotony may after all be the best condition for creation." That may be, but it sure doesn't bode well for motorsport, where the domination of a single team can (and often does) lead to boring racing.

Enthusiasts tuning in for Saturday qualifying have been met with just such monotony, as Red Bull Racing has taken the pole in all but two races so far. The exceptions came when Lewis Hamilton took pole (and rode it all the way to the checkered flag) in Montreal, and this weekend, where the final starting grid could hardly have given the local fans more hope if Silvio Berlusconi, Leonardo da Vinci or Luciano Pavarotti had taken it himself. Follow the jump to find out how it went down.

Gallery: 2010 Italian Grand Prix

Continue reading Titans clash at the 2010 Italian Grand Prix [Spoilers]

Titans clash at the 2010 Italian Grand Prix [Spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Sep 2010 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari to unveil limited-edition 599 roadster at Pebble Beach?

Noah Joseph — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Misc. Auto Shows, Ferrari

Ferrari 599 HGTE - Click above for high-res image gallery

If a V12 convertible strikes you as the quintessential Ferrari layout, it may come as a bit of a surprise to realize that Maranello hasn't made one since 2006. That's when the bizarre flip-top 575M Superamerica finished its limited run of 559 units. And Ferrari hasn't made a V12 convertible since.

That's all about to change, however, as early as two months from now, according to a report from Autocar magazine. In a recent conversation with the British publication, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has confirmed that a roadster based on the 599 GTB Fiorano is set to make its debut later this summer at Pebble Beach. Coupled with the 599XX, HGTE, HY-KERS concept, GTO, China edition and the one-off P540 Superfast Aptera, that will make quite an array of Fiorano variants over the course of four short years.

Like the Superamerica (and the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina before it), the 599 roadster will be an limited-edition affair, and we don't mean "limited to however many we can produce and sell." No word on whether the convertible Fiorano will adopt the same sort of rotary top mechanism as fitted to the Superamerica, or a more conventional softtop like the F430 Spider or a folding hardtop like the California.

While Montezemolo wouldn't confirm the name, he said it won't be called the Superamerica, but "will have an emotional, romantic name such as Italia or Fiorano". If we had to guess, we'd go with "599 GTS Monza", but we won't guess too loud. Legend has it that when he learned the press had already dubbed the 365 GTB/4 as the "Daytona", Enzo himself dropped the official moniker. Not that it stopped anyone from calling it that, or that Il Commendatore is still around for that matter, but we hear they're reading Autoblog in supercar-magnate heaven these days.

Gallery: Ferrari 599 GTB HGTE

[Source: Autocar]

Ferrari to unveil limited-edition 599 roadster at Pebble Beach? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alfa Giulietta sets the pace at Monza as Superbike safety car

Noah Joseph — Tue, 11 May 2010 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Alfa Romeo, Specialty

Alfa Romeo Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde SBK safety car - Click above for high-res image

As one of the most historic racing tracks in Italy, if not the world, Monza is inextricably intertwined with Alfa Romeo. Now those ties have been reinforced with the introduction at the circuit of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta as the safety car for the Superbike World Championship, which held its fifth round at Monza this past weekend.

The Giulietta takes over pacing duties for SBK (as the series is known in shorthand) from the MiTo, which itself had assumed the mantle from the 159. The Quadrifoglio Verde version, with its 235-horsepower, 1.7-liter turbo four, will continue its role for the eight rounds remaining in the series this season. If your Italian is up to snuff, you can read more about it in the native-tongue press release after the jump. And if not, well, we've gone ahead and translated it (thanks, Google!) for you, too.

Gallery: Alfa Romeo Giulietta

[Source: Alfa Romeo]

Continue reading Alfa Giulietta sets the pace at Monza as Superbike safety car

Alfa Giulietta sets the pace at Monza as Superbike safety car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 May 2010 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SPOILER ALERT: All That and More at the 2009 Italian Grand Prix

Noah Joseph — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:48:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

2009 Italian Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery

In the midst of a Formula One season that's been anything but ordinary, how would you envision an ideal race to unfold? Ferrari and McLaren back on top? The two teams are responsible for most of the championships over the course of the past couple of decades, after all. The title-leading Brawn GP team taking another dominant victory? They've won over half the races so far this season. A new underdog to pull a surprise performance out of its hat? Nothing would surprise us at this point. Maybe some exciting wheel-to-wheel action and surprise spin-outs to shake up the order at the last minute?

How about all of the above? Because that and more is this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza had in store for race fans in one of the most exciting, surprising and pivotal races so far this season. Follow the jump to read how it unfolded.

Gallery: 2009 Italian Grand Prix

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: All That and More at the 2009 Italian Grand Prix

SPOILER ALERT: All That and More at the 2009 Italian Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Event Alert: September Calendar of Automotive Events

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Motorsports, Classics, Auctions, Motorcycle, Event Alert

September brings a whole bunch of Labor Day and end-of-summer cruises, meets and concours. It also kicks off the international auto show season with the Frankfurt Motor Show.

For those of you missing our coverage of Meadowbrook, Woodward and Monterey, there are tons of classic car events in September, including include the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival, Lime Rock Vintage Festival, Charlotte Autofair, All AMC Classic Car Show & Beach Cruise 2009, Radnor Hunt Concours d'Elegance, Fairfield County Concours d'Elegance, The Colorado Grand, 20th Annual Route 66 Rendezvous, Glenmoor Gathering of Significant Automobiles, Goodwood Revival, Colorado English Motoring Conclave, Sunriver Festival of Cars, Thunderbolt Historics (and vintage airshow), Brits on the Beach British Car Day, 16th Annual Fall Classic Car Show, Buckingham Concours, Dayton Concours d'Elegance, East Coast Boardwalk Classic Car Show, Southeastern Fall MG Gathering of the Faithful Mk XV, St. Michael's Concours, 12th Annual Coronado Speed Festival, 10th Annual Cruisin' for a Cure, Autumn in the Mountains, Bonhams Vintage New England Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia, Ironstone Concours d'Elegance, RM Auctions: Icons of Speed and Style Auction, SWEETPORT Antique & Classic Car Show, and VIVA ITALIA: Concours D'Elegance. Whew.

On the racing front, the ALMS series visits Detroit before packing up and hitting Atlanta for the Petit Le Mans. The Formula 1 circus stops in Italy and then Singapore as the series heads down the home stretch, IndyCar has races scheduled at Detroit and Motegi, Japan, and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races towards the Chase, with action in Atlanta, Richmond, New Hampshire and Dover.

If none of those events appeal to you, check the Google Calendar after the jump for even more listings, all with detailed info and links. Please use the comments section to add or modify listings.

Continue reading Event Alert: September Calendar of Automotive Events

Event Alert: September Calendar of Automotive Events originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rain Supreme: Big surprises at soaked Italian Grand Prix (SPOILER ALERT)

Noah Joseph — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Italian Grand Prix

Racing fans are used to tuning in on the Saturday of a grand prix weekend to find the words "Scuderia" and "Ferrari" at the top of the qualifying list. But interrupted by the words "Toro Rosso"? Never. But that was only the first of many surprises at this weekend's Italian Grand Prix.

Sebastian Vettel shockingly secured his first pole position thanks to some exceedingly brilliant driving joined with good strategy on the part of his Ferrari-powered Scuderia Toro Rosso team, which wisely stuck with the extreme wet tires on the rain-soaked Monza circuit while others experimented with intermediate treads. The young German's unprecedented qualifying performance put him in the record books as the youngest driver ever to secure a pole position, supplanting Fernando Alonso's previous record. But with so many other drivers with more experience and backed by teams with immensely bigger budgets, surely Vettel's lead would quickly be stolen by an established front-runner. Wouldn't it? Follow the jump to find out.

Gallery: 2008 Italian Grand Prix

Continue reading Rain Supreme: Big surprises at soaked Italian Grand Prix (SPOILER ALERT)

Rain Supreme: Big surprises at soaked Italian Grand Prix (SPOILER ALERT) originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari Monza concept too complex for puny humans

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Ferrari, Specialty

click above for gallery of the Ferrar Monza concept

It appears that after seeing a number of its finest works crashed by errant drivers, Ferrari should consider making something like this. It's called the Monza, and it's part car, part motorcycle, part flying wing, and all anime.

Independently designed by Iman Maghsoudi, the Monza, whose name recalls historic Ferraris of yore and the race track that hosts the Italian Grand Prix, can go 125 miles per hour. But because humans cannot muster "sufficient concentration" to keep it on the ground and upright, computers take over. They change the angles of the canards over the front wheels and make sure the Monza doesn't go airborne in violent gusts. This study in advanced aerodynamics appears to be the road-going equivalent of an F-16, which seems to be a rather complicated way to go speeds that aren't considered that fast anymore. But hey, it's a Ferrari, it's red, no one else has one, and if we got the chance we'd drive it, too.

Gallery: Ferrari Monza design study

[Source: Telegraph]

Ferrari Monza concept too complex for puny humans originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Stephane Ortelli's wild ride at Monza

Alex Nunez — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:09:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Europe, Videos

Motorsport is a game of inches and tenths. A few inches here and a few tenths of a second there can mean the difference between spectacle and tragedy. Case in point: Team ORECA driver Stephane Ortelli's horrifying crash during today's Le Mans Series race at Monza. Ortelli, driving the ORECA Courage LC70-Judd, lost control of the car, which spun off the pavement and onto the grass. The prototype then became airborne, barely missing Allan McNish in the Audi R10 TDI. And then things got really ugly. The Courage touched back down and went into a series of cartwheels, shedding bodywork all over the place before crashing into the wall and landing right-side up. Ortelli suffered a broken ankle, but Team ORECA reports he is otherwise in good health. As you'll see in the video, things could have been a whole lot worse. You know. A few inches here, a few tenths there...

We wish him a speedy recovery.

[Sources: Maximum Motorsport, Crash.net]

VIDEO: Stephane Ortelli's wild ride at Monza originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monza's been iced out

Noah Joseph — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 10:37:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Europe

We first told you about a little Italian company called Gioielli Circuiti a bit over a year ago. The jewelers craft necklaces and other sparkly things in the shape of race tracks around the world, all decked-out in diamonds, rubies and other precious stones.

Being the Italian racing fans they so evidently are, Circuiti couldn't have their national circuit get the same respect as all the others. And so the jewelers are offering the Monza "Pole Position" bracelet, featuring white diamonds, black diamonds and rubies on a white gold setting laid out in the outline of the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza.

The pictures are enough to tell that this must make for quite the dazzling tribute to the track and the race, but for €9000, you'd have to really love Monza. For the rest of us, Circuiti offers an array of pendants, cufflinks and such at a variety of price points. But if you're the kind for whom nine grand is pocket change and who watches the Monaco Grand Prix every year from a yacht in the Monte Carlo harbor with a delicate model on your arm, what else would look better on hers?

[Source: Gioielli Circuiti]

Monza's been iced out originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar XKR GT3 ready to go racing

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 17:03:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Jaguar

High res gallery with nine shots available by clicking any image!

Guess this really is racecar revelation Thursday. First Mazda and Peugeot showed off their prototype racers and now we are hearing about production-based racecars. At the same Birmingham show that will see the debut of Aston Martin's V8 Vantage N24 customer track car, Jaguar is showing its new XKR GT3 car. The Autosport International Show at the NEC, Birmingham is the place and the car is the race version of Jaguar's sporty new aluminum-bodied, supercharged XKR, this one eligible for the FIA GT3 European Championship.

More info after the jump and click here for the gorgeous high-res gallery of this hot racer.

[Source: Apex Motorsport]

Continue reading Jaguar XKR GT3 ready to go racing

Jaguar XKR GT3 ready to go racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Jan 2007 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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