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[Global Rallycross announces Lites class for up and coming stars [w/videos]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/global-rallycross-announces-lites-class-for-up-and-coming-stars/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/global-rallycross-announces-lites-class-for-up-and-coming-stars/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/global-rallycross-announces-lites-class-for-up-and-coming-stars/#commentsFiled under: , ,



After two years in the US running just one class of car, the Supercars, Global Rallycross (GRC) is adding a SuperCar Lites class that will run spec cars. Intended to be a development formula for the "next generation of star drivers," the Lites will race at all five US races this year on the same course as the Supercars, and with a format similar to the top class: a 60-minute free practice, 30-minute qualifying, heats, with Last Chance Qualifier and Finals run just before the main Supercar events. Standings will be divided into overall and a Lites Rookie Cup for first-time racers who haven't yet completed a full season.

They'll be driving a Ford Fiesta ST prepped by Olsbergs MSE, a Swedish builder that supplies four of the 20 GRC teams including two-time champion Tanner Foust. They have 310 horsepower compared to 600 hp in the Supercars, all-wheel drive and a six-speed sequential transmission. Ordered directly from Olsbergs, they'll run you $165,000 if you're one of the first ten teams to purchase one, after that they'll be $185,000.

The overall Lites-class winner gets a Supercar drive with Olsbergs MSE in the year-ending Rallycross Battle of the Champs, the top three finishers get Supercar tests like the Young Driver Test in Formula One held at the end of the season. There's a press release below with more info as well as a two videos of Geoff Sykes and Tanner Whitten testing the Lites car earlier this year.

Continue reading Global Rallycross announces Lites class for up and coming stars [w/videos]

Global Rallycross announces Lites class for up and coming stars [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 May 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>global rallycrossglobal rallycross litesmotorsportssupercar litesvideoyoutubeThu, 09 May 2013 13:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20562382/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/09/global-rallycross-announces-lites-class-for-up-and-coming-stars/20562382/article-detail.xml 20562382 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/grc-lites-class_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/grc-lites-class.jpg <![CDATA[Seat Leon Cup Racer for Worthersee is one bad machine]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/seat-leon-cup-racer-for-worthersee-is-one-bad-machine/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/seat-leon-cup-racer-for-worthersee-is-one-bad-machine/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/seat-leon-cup-racer-for-worthersee-is-one-bad-machine/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



In the 'Just Because It's Awesome' category we have the Seat Leon Cup Racer, a kerb-stomping trinket the Spanish brand took to the GTI Wörthersee gathering. A transformation worthy of Marvel turns the recognizable five-door hatch underneath into a test-bed for a 325-horsepower sprint or endurance racer, depending on which version a customer prefers, and Seat "can envision" a 1.6-liter motor so it can contest World Touring Car championships.

The machine's track has been stretched by 40 centimeters, 18-inch wheels hung on the axle hubs underneath popped-out arches. The single-seat inside is wrapped in a moisture-regulating leather. Torque maxes out at 258 pound-feet, sent to the front wheels through a six-speed double-clutch gearbox and electronically controlled diff in the sprint version, a six-speed sequential transmission and mechanical diff going on the endurance variant.

It is expected to be available for customer teams in time for the 2014 season. The sprint race spec will cost 70,000 euro ($92,100 US) plus tax, the endurance spec runs 95,000 euro ($125,992 US), and the press release below has more info.

Continue reading Seat Leon Cup Racer for Worthersee is one bad machine

Seat Leon Cup Racer for Worthersee is one bad machine originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 May 2013 08:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>motorsportsseatseat leonseat leon cup racerwortherseeThu, 09 May 2013 08:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20562463/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/09/seat-leon-cup-racer-for-worthersee-is-one-bad-machine/20562463/article-detail.xml 20562463 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/seat-leon-cup-special_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/seat-leon-cup-special.jpg <![CDATA[Evidence of Renault 5 revival discovered during commercial shoot]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/evidence-of-renault-5-revival-discovered-during-commercial-shoot/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/evidence-of-renault-5-revival-discovered-during-commercial-shoot/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/evidence-of-renault-5-revival-discovered-during-commercial-shoot/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Mystery Renault concept caught on camera phone - video screencap

Mystery Renault concept caught on camera phone - video screencapRenault has exceptional plans for this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, bringing six classic cars, four Formula One cars from this year's season and three current offerings. It will also be showing off two brand-new concepts, one of them gasoline-powered and another that's purely electric, and it's possible that the ICE concept has been spotted in Madrid on a video shoot. If so, it would be appear to be a fresh take on the Eighties-era Renault 5 that would look very nice next to the 1984 Renault 5 Maxi that will be at Goodwood.

Some Spaniards with camera phones caught a little blue Renault hatchback with a number "5" on its flanks and a giant wing hanging off the back. Renault has to have expected someone to catch it in photos, not because it was working with a camera truck but because it was doing donuts in an intersection and spitting out a murderous exhaust note. It might actually have nothing to do with the Goodwood concepts, but the coincidence of a classic Renault 5 showing up in England does provide a potential connection.

Elsewhere in the stand from July 11 to 14 Renault will have a 1920 Renault Type K, a 1926 Renault 40CV, the first turbocharged F1 car, the 1978 RS01, the Alpine that won Le Mans in 1978 and a Groupe 5 Alpine A310 rally car, Kimi Räikkönen's Australian F1 Grand Prix-winning Lotus E21, the Red Bull RB9, Caterham CT03 and Williams FW35. Among current offerings will be the Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo EDC, Captur crossover and all-electric Zoe. Find out more about all of them in the two videos and the press release below.

Continue reading Evidence of Renault 5 revival discovered during commercial shoot

Evidence of Renault 5 revival discovered during commercial shoot originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>concept cargoodwoodgoodwood festival of speedmotorsportsrenaultrenault 5spy photosspy shotsFri, 29 Mar 2013 11:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20522523/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/29/evidence-of-renault-5-revival-discovered-during-commercial-shoot/20522523/article-detail.xml 20522523 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/renault5vid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/renault5vid.jpg <![CDATA[GRAND-AM, IMSA announce deal to bring DTM racing to US]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/grand-am-imsa-announce-deal-to-bring-dtm-racing-to-us/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/grand-am-imsa-announce-deal-to-bring-dtm-racing-to-us/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/grand-am-imsa-announce-deal-to-bring-dtm-racing-to-us/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Audi A5 DTM racer - profile view

It won't be until 2015 at the earliest, but the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), Grand-Am and the Internationale Tourenwagen-Rennen have agreed to a licensing and cooperation deal that could bring a version of Germany's DTM series to the US.

When the American Le Mans Series and Grand-Am are officially combined next year, the resulting body will be called United SportsCar Racing (USCR). IMSA will be the sanctioning body for that series, and DTM races could be run as support events. It was also suggested by an ALMS chief that DTM races could be standalone or join NASCAR and IndyCar weekends.

With the so-called DTM America finally agreed to, there is now a way for manufacturers to run the same DTM-type cars in Europe, the US and Japan - last year Japan's Super GT series agreed to adopt "the basic technical regulations" of DTM for the GT500 class, the top class in the series. That already puts six manufacturers in play: Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW that run in Germany's DTM and Honda, Nissan and Lexus that run in Super GT. The DTM oversight body has invited American brands to Germany for the opening round of the 2013 season, and will begin actively courting their participation in the US series. Check out the press release from Audi with comments on the deal below.

Continue reading GRAND-AM, IMSA announce deal to bring DTM racing to US

GRAND-AM, IMSA announce deal to bring DTM racing to US originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>almsaudibmwdtmgrand-amimsamercedesmotorsportstouring carunited sportscar racinguscrFri, 29 Mar 2013 10:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20520541/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/29/grand-am-imsa-announce-deal-to-bring-dtm-racing-to-us/20520541/article-detail.xml 20520541 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/dtmamericadeal_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/dtmamericadeal.jpg <![CDATA[Alpine unveils N36 LMP2 car that will race in 24 Hours of Le Mans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/25/alpine-unveils-n36-lmp2-car-that-will-race-in-24-hours-of-le-man/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/25/alpine-unveils-n36-lmp2-car-that-will-race-in-24-hours-of-le-man/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/25/alpine-unveils-n36-lmp2-car-that-will-race-in-24-hours-of-le-man/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Alpine N36 LMP2 racecar - profile studio shot

This is the Alpine LMP2 competitor you'll see contesting European endurance races this year, including The 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. Parent company Renault showed off the N36 racer at its atelier in Paris, the blue and orange a switch from the yellow, black and white livery Alpine wore last time it was seen in Le Mans way back in 1978 when it won the race.

The team will be run by Signatech-Nissan and the chassis will be powered by a Nissan engine. Nelson Panciatici and Pierre Ragues will contest World Endurance Championship rounds throughout the year, they'll be joined by endurance and IndyCar veteran Tristan Gommendy for Le Mans and Paul-Loup Chatin as the team's reserve driver.

The Alpine N36 will get into its first test this week at Paul Ricard, then experience its first racing miles at the European Le Mans Series round at Silverstone on April 13. The press release below has the full scoop, the photos above have the past and present in high-res glory.

Continue reading Alpine unveils N36 LMP2 car that will race in 24 Hours of Le Mans

Alpine unveils N36 LMP2 car that will race in 24 Hours of Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Mar 2013 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24 hours of le mansalpineeuropean le mans seriesle manslmp2motorsportsnissanrenaultworld endurance championshipMon, 25 Mar 2013 10:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20515083/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/25/alpine-unveils-n36-lmp2-car-that-will-race-in-24-hours-of-le-man/20515083/article-detail.xml 20515083 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/alpinen36le-manslmp1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/alpinen36le-manslmp1.jpg <![CDATA[Race Recap: 2013 Twelve Hours of Sebring, cakewalk up front, grindfest out back [w/spoilers]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/19/race-recap-2013-twelve-hours-of-sebring-cakewalk-up-front-gri/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/19/race-recap-2013-twelve-hours-of-sebring-cakewalk-up-front-gri/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/19/race-recap-2013-twelve-hours-of-sebring-cakewalk-up-front-gri/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



This year's 12 Hours of Sebring wasn't exactly a foregone conclusion because we're still talking about racing, and anything can happen when the speeds are as high as the adrenaline and the desire. But we're still talking about Audi bringing it's two top-spec racers - and its huge budget and its nearly neurotic attention to detail - to a race that it uses as a test bed for The 24 Hours of Le Mans and as a way to open the endurance racing season with a victory.

Besides, 12 hours is a long time, especially at Sebring, and things didn't go all Audi's way. On top of that, although it was a pretty quiet race, behind the Audis things got even grimier, with plenty of battles, plenty of mechanical issues, and the new BMW Z4 GTE and Viper GTS-R being race tested. Oh, and that brand new chromed-out DeltaWing...

Continue reading Race Recap: 2013 Twelve Hours of Sebring, cakewalk up front, grindfest out back [w/spoilers]

Race Recap: 2013 Twelve Hours of Sebring, cakewalk up front, grindfest out back [w/spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12 hours of sebringaudic6.rchevroletcorvetteferrarimotorsportsr18 e-tron quattrosebringTue, 19 Mar 2013 09:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20509037/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/19/race-recap-2013-twelve-hours-of-sebring-cakewalk-up-front-gri/20509037/article-detail.xml 20509037 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/sebring01_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/sebring01.jpg <![CDATA[Notes from Day One of the 2013 Twelve Hours of Sebring]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/16/notes-from-day-one-of-the-2013-twelve-hours-of-sebring/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/16/notes-from-day-one-of-the-2013-twelve-hours-of-sebring/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/16/notes-from-day-one-of-the-2013-twelve-hours-of-sebring/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2013 Twelve Hours of Sebring with Audi

The 61st edition of The 12 Hours of Sebring is on, and Autoblog has come to central Florida with Audi to feast on jumbo boiled peanuts, pickled eggs and the final race for the LMP1 class at the oldest road course in North America. As Audi has been doing for more than a decade now, it's brought its latest endurance race car, the 2013-spec R18 etron quattro, to Sebring to begin testing for Le Mans.

Why the commitment to Sebring? Audi Sport executives have repeatedly called Sebring "punishing," "extremely demanding" and "one of the toughest tracks in the world." It is a 3.47-mile circuit that, in places, feels like it was made from the leftover bits of other circuits. Doing the 12-hour distance in Florida is thought to be a good start on lasting the 24-hour distance in France, and we can't think it a coincidence that Audi has won ten times here in the last 13 years and 11 times in Gaul.

Where there's rhyme - and victory - there is reason. We think we found a few of them on our first day where preparation, technology, fastidious attention to detail and sweat fit right in with swamp cabbage...

Continue reading Notes from Day One of the 2013 Twelve Hours of Sebring

Notes from Day One of the 2013 Twelve Hours of Sebring originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Mar 2013 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12 hours of sebringaudifeaturedmotorsportsr10r15r18r18 etron quattror18 ultraracingsebringSat, 16 Mar 2013 17:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20506170/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/16/notes-from-day-one-of-the-2013-twelve-hours-of-sebring/20506170/article-detail.xml 20506170 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/sebringr18etronquattro_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/sebringr18etronquattro.jpg <![CDATA[Grand-Am, ALMS merger results in new United SportsCar Racing series]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/15/grand-am-alms-merger-results-in-new-united-sportscar-racing-ser/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/15/grand-am-alms-merger-results-in-new-united-sportscar-racing-ser/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/15/grand-am-alms-merger-results-in-new-united-sportscar-racing-ser/#commentsFiled under: ,



After the merger between Grand-Am and the American Le Mans Series was announced last year, a contest was held to name the new combined series, and that new name is now officially the United SportCar Racing series. This new branding will take place at the start of the 2014 season beginning with the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Fans of the American Le Mans Series are probably losing the most in this new series. Not only is the ALMS name (along with the connection to the 24 Hours of Le Mans) going away, but the more exciting P1 prototype class is also being dropped. In the new United SportCar Racing series, the new Prototype class will consist of Daytona Prototypes, ALMS P2 cars and the DeltaWing (including a new closed-cockpit version). The ALMS GT class will be renamed GT Le Mans (GTLM), while GT Daytona (GTD) will combine the current Grand-Am GT class and the ALMS' GTC cars. The Prototype Challenge (PC) and GX classes will both carry over unchanged from Grand-Am and ALMS, respectively.

Grand-Am, ALMS merger results in new United SportsCar Racing series originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>almsamerican le mans seriesauto racingcar racingdeltawinggrand-amgrand-am alms mergermotorsportsunited sportscar racing seriesFri, 15 Mar 2013 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20505780/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/15/grand-am-alms-merger-results-in-new-united-sportscar-racing-ser/20505780/article-detail.xml 20505780 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/united-sportscar-racing-logo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/united-sportscar-racing-logo.jpg <![CDATA[Watch some crazy uphill sand drag action in the UAE]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/11/watch-some-crazy-uphill-sand-drag-action-in-the-uae/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/11/watch-some-crazy-uphill-sand-drag-action-in-the-uae/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/11/watch-some-crazy-uphill-sand-drag-action-in-the-uae/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Sand dune uphill drag racing in the UAE - screencap of race truck with hood off showing massive turbo

At this point, we've all seen videos depicting the insanity of Middle Eastern sand dune climbs. The clips that make their way to the Western world often include some sort of terrifying nose-over-tail tumble from the top, but this latest clip gives us a glimpse at exactly what sort of machine is required to run up a massive pile of sand at high speeds. Expect turbos. Lots and lots of massive turbos. This particular competition features three classes: V6 Manual, V6 Automatic and V8, and as you'd expect with any high-horsepower event, there's as much mechanical failure as actual success.

The video below features an extensive pit walk with plenty of lingering shots inside some of the most ludicrous engine bays we've ever laid eyes upon. The actual racing gets going around the five-minute mark, and we can't help bet feel there's more than a passing resemblance between this sport and a good old-fashioned tractor pull. Check it out below.

Continue reading Watch some crazy uphill sand drag action in the UAE

Watch some crazy uphill sand drag action in the UAE originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2jzdragdrag racedrag racingdune drag racemiddle eastmotorsportsraceracingsand dunesand dune drag racesand dunesturbouaeunited arab emiratesMon, 11 Mar 2013 12:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20496843/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/11/watch-some-crazy-uphill-sand-drag-action-in-the-uae/20496843/article-detail.xml 20496843 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/uae-sand-drag-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/uae-sand-drag-628.jpg <![CDATA[Renault taking Alpine endurance racing, enters 24 Hours of Le Mans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/10/renault-taking-alpine-endurance-racing-enters-24-hours-of-le-ma/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/10/renault-taking-alpine-endurance-racing-enters-24-hours-of-le-ma/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/10/renault-taking-alpine-endurance-racing-enters-24-hours-of-le-ma/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Renault isn't letting up with the return of its Alpine brand. After announcing a partnership with Caterham to bring a new Alpine to market by 2015 (now expected by 2016), the French firm has announced it is taking Alpine racing again in the European Le Mans Series this year - and that includes The 24 Hours of Le Mans.

It has been 35 years since Alpine last competed in Le Mans, when it won the race outright and dropped the mic as it left the pits, never to return. Before that, in the 11 years it campaigned in the most famous endurance race on the planet from 1963 to 1978, it took seven class wins.

Caterham won't be involved with the race team, however; that will be an effort spearheaded by the Signatech-Nissan team that has been running GT Academy winners in LMS racing. Alpine is preparing an LMP2 chassis that will get a 500-horsepower Nissan engine for this year's championship, with the first two named drivers being Nelson Panciatici (above right) and Pierre Ragues (above left). The third driver for Le Mans will be announced later this month when the racer is launched at the Le Castellet race track in southern France.

The press release below has more details, and prepare yourself now for a chant that hasn't been heard since Valéry Giscard d'Estaing was president of the republic: "Allez Alpine!"

Continue reading Renault taking Alpine endurance racing, enters 24 Hours of Le Mans

Renault taking Alpine endurance racing, enters 24 Hours of Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Mar 2013 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24 hours of le mansalpineendurance racingeuropean le mans seriesle manslmp2lmsmotorsportsNelson PanciaticinissanPierre RaguesrenaultsignatechSun, 10 Mar 2013 15:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20496122/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/10/renault-taking-alpine-endurance-racing-enters-24-hours-of-le-ma/20496122/article-detail.xml 20496122 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/alpinele-mans_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/alpinele-mans.jpg <![CDATA[How federal budget cuts could curb motorsports pageantry]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/how-federal-budget-cuts-could-curb-motorsports-pageantry/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/how-federal-budget-cuts-could-curb-motorsports-pageantry/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/how-federal-budget-cuts-could-curb-motorsports-pageantry/#commentsFiled under: ,



At your next NASCAR event, you might hear, "Look! Up in the sky! It's, well, nothing." That's because government sequestration budget cuts will probably nix Air Force flyovers that have been a long-time tradition at many NASCAR races.

If fully implemented, the sequestration cuts would force the federal government to cut $1.2 trillion from its budget over the next 10 years. The reduced spending mandate slashes across every federal department including the Pentagon. Since the high-flying, pre-race panoply is hardly a necessary expense, you can bet it will be among the first picks of low-hanging budgetary fruit.

Last year, Congress banned the armed services from directly sponsoring race teams and USA Today says the March 10 NASCAR race in Las Vegas could be the last flyover for the Air Force's Thunderbirds.

How federal budget cuts could curb motorsports pageantry originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Mar 2013 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air force thunderbirdsblue angelsflyoversmotorsportsnascarnavy blue angelssequestrationthunderbirdsTue, 05 Mar 2013 08:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20487122/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/05/how-federal-budget-cuts-could-curb-motorsports-pageantry/20487122/article-detail.xml 20487122 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/air-force-flyover-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/air-force-flyover-628.jpg <![CDATA[Fan video from stands shows horror of Daytona crash]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/fan-video-from-stands-shows-horror-of-daytona-crash/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/fan-video-from-stands-shows-horror-of-daytona-crash/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/fan-video-from-stands-shows-horror-of-daytona-crash/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Kyle Larson's NASCAR Daytona crash scatters debris into stands - video screencap

Things took a turn for the worse during this weekend's NASCAR events in Daytona when one of the race cars crashed into the fence that separates the track and the grandstands, injuring 33 fans in the process. In our original report, we included video of this horrifying incident from the TV crews' perspective, but just days later, a video direct from the grandstands has appeared on YouTube.

To recap, Kyle Larson's No. 32 was sent into the fence during Saturday's Nationwide Series race as the result of a multi-car crash that started when Regan Smith's car was turned sideways just before coming into the checkered flag. Larson's car lost its entire front end, and the burning engine was wedged in a hole in the fence.

This fan video, however, shows just how much debris came flying into the stands, including items as large as a tire. Scroll down to watch the scary scene for yourself, though be aware, there are more than a couple Not Safe For Work explicit utterances in the video.

Continue reading Fan video from stands shows horror of Daytona crash

Fan video from stands shows horror of Daytona crash originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crashdaytonadaytona 500kyle larsonmotorsportsnascarnationwide seriesvideoMon, 25 Feb 2013 10:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20476227/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/25/fan-video-from-stands-shows-horror-of-daytona-crash/20476227/article-detail.xml 20476227 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/nascarvideo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/nascarvideo.jpg <![CDATA[Race Recap: 2013 Daytona 500 runs 200 laps, six of them count [spoilers]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/24/race-recap-2013-daytona-500-runs-200-laps-six-of-them-count-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/24/race-recap-2013-daytona-500-runs-200-laps-six-of-them-count-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/24/race-recap-2013-daytona-500-runs-200-laps-six-of-them-count-s/#commentsFiled under: ,

2013 Daytona 500 start

It's been a huge month, leading up to the Super Bowl of NASCAR, the Daytona 500. This is the first year of the new Car of Tomorrow, the "Gen Six" car, and all of the drivers have been trying to figure out its intricacies. The Ford Fusion and Chevrolet NASCAR SS has joined the field and its street-legal equivalent, the SS, was introduced. A huge wreck in the Nationwide Series race the day before the Daytona 500 tore a car in half, tore a hole in the fence, sent car parts flying into the crowd and injured some 33 spectators.

And then, of course, making just her 11th Sprint Cup Series start, there was Danica Patrick on pole position. She'd lead the way for the 43 cars on the grid to start the 200 laps of the 2.5-mile oval called the Daytona International Speedway, with its five-story-high turns banked at 31 degrees and the 3,000-foot front stretch banked at 18 degrees.

Perhaps all that excitement is why James Franco, the honorary race starter there to promote Disney's new film, Oz the Great and Powerful, yelled "Drivers, and Danica, start your engines!" to begin the 65th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship...

Continue reading Race Recap: 2013 Daytona 500 runs 200 laps, six of them count [spoilers]

Race Recap: 2013 Daytona 500 runs 200 laps, six of them count [spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Feb 2013 22:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 daytona 500brad keselowskicamrychevroletdale earnhardt jr.dale jrdanica patrickdaytonadaytona 500earnhardtfeaturedfordfusionhendrick motorsportsjeff gordonjimmie johnsonmotorsportsnascarnascar sssstoyotaSun, 24 Feb 2013 22:40:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20475416/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/24/race-recap-2013-daytona-500-runs-200-laps-six-of-them-count-s/20475416/article-detail.xml 20475416 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/day1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/day1.jpg <![CDATA[Frightening Daytona crash leaves at least 11 fans injured [w/video] [UPDATE]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/23/frightening-daytona-crash-leaves-at-least-11-fans-injured-w-vid/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/23/frightening-daytona-crash-leaves-at-least-11-fans-injured-w-vid/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/23/frightening-daytona-crash-leaves-at-least-11-fans-injured-w-vid/#commentsFiled under:



A truly horrifying crash at Saturday's Daytona race has left at least 11 NASCAR fans injured. According to the Associated Press, large chunks of debris landed in the grandstands after a car flew into the fence during a multi-car crash just before the final lap of the race.

The awful mess started when Regan Smith's car was turned sideways as he was coming into the checkered flag. This caused many other cars to crash, sending Kyle Larson's No. 32 car into the fence that separates the track from the grandstands. The car itself was damaged quite badly, the entire front end torn off and the burning engine wedged in a hole in the fence.

Driver Tony Stewart slid past the wreckage to take the win at the Nationwide Series race, but skipped the usual post-victory celebration. "As much as we want to celebrate right now and as much as this is a big deal to us, I'm more worried about the drivers and the fans that are in the stands right now because that was ... I could see it all in my mirror, and it didn't look good from where I was at," Stewart told a reporter.

A spokesperson from Volusia County told the Associated Press that six people with serious injuries were taken by ambulance to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, saying that those victims "met the condition of trauma patients." No official word has been given on the condition of other victims, nor has a final injury count been released.

This tragic event will no doubt put a dark cloud over Sunday's Daytona 500 race. Scroll down to see a video of the horrific crash.

UPDATE: A day after the accident, the injury toll has been raised to 33, with two of the victims said to be in critical condition. Check out this Associated Press video report on USA Today and this WOFL Fox 35 report.

Continue reading Frightening Daytona crash leaves at least 11 fans injured [w/video] [UPDATE]

Frightening Daytona crash leaves at least 11 fans injured [w/video] [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crashdaytonadaytona 500kyle larsonmotorsportsnascarSat, 23 Feb 2013 19:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20474987/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/23/frightening-daytona-crash-leaves-at-least-11-fans-injured-w-vid/20474987/article-detail.xml 20474987 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/162459512_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/162459512.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy might've pulled out of NASCAR if it weren't for new Gen 6 car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/20/chevy-mightve-pulled-out-of-nascar-if-it-werent-for-new-gen-6/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/20/chevy-mightve-pulled-out-of-nascar-if-it-werent-for-new-gen-6/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/20/chevy-mightve-pulled-out-of-nascar-if-it-werent-for-new-gen-6/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2014 Chevrolet SS NASCAR racer - studio shot - front three-quarter view

We've been on the fence with NASCAR for some time now. On one hand, it's some of the closest racing anywhere in motorsports, with actual passing and door-handle-to-door-handle action as a matter of course. But on the other, it's become template racing - a personality-driven sport more about the drivers than any sort of loyalty to a particular automaker. The Car Of Tomorrow format really rammed that message home, with a racecar's identity coming down to little more than headlamp stickers slapped on the nose. That's not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself, but we've wondered for some time what's in it for the automakers, who pay big money to stay in a series that has had little increasingly little do with street car sales, let alone innovation.

Apparently General Motors was beginning to wonder the same thing. In a new ESPN report, Rick Hendrick, team owner of Hendrick Motorsports, suggests that GM would have seriously considered leaving NASCAR if it wasn't for the move away from the COT to the new Gen 6 racer. According to Hendrick, GM North America boss Mark Reuss spearheaded the charge away from the 2007 COT and toward a racecar with clearer automaker ties - cars like the new Chevrolet SS racer shown above. Learn more about the fight for a closer-to-production look in the ESPN story at the link.

Now, if we could just get more rear-wheel drive V8 coupes into showrooms....

Chevy might've pulled out of NASCAR if it weren't for new Gen 6 car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 chevrolet sscar of tomorrowchevroletchevygen 6general motorsgmmark reussmotorsportsnascarrick hendrickssstock car racingWed, 20 Feb 2013 13:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20469370/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/20/chevy-mightve-pulled-out-of-nascar-if-it-werent-for-new-gen-6/20469370/article-detail.xml 20469370 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/2013-nascar-chevrolet-ss-002-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/2013-nascar-chevrolet-ss-002-opt.jpg <![CDATA[This is the BMW Z4 GTE that will wear the Roundel in ALMS]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/17/this-is-the-bmw-z4-gte-that-will-wear-the-roundel-in-alms/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/17/this-is-the-bmw-z4-gte-that-will-wear-the-roundel-in-alms/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/17/this-is-the-bmw-z4-gte-that-will-wear-the-roundel-in-alms/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway are a month of racing and reveals, with the season's metal going for the flag at races like the Rolex 24 at Daytona and other cars being introduced to the public. In the latter category is the BMW Z4 GTE (click the image above to enlarge) joining the American Le Mans Series GT class this year with BMW Team RLL (Rahal, Letterman and Lanigan). This machine replaces the M3 GT that completed four years of service and won the class title in 2010 and 2011. Naturally, the team is tempering expectations for the Z4 GTE by repeating the fact that it sees this season as a development year.

BMW Team RLL drivers for its two cars will be Bill Auberlen and series rookie Maxime Martin in the No. 55, aided by Jörg Müller for the endurance races at Sebring and Road Atlanta. The No. 56 car gets Dirk Müller on a full-time basis, Joey Hand when he's not competing in the DTM series, and John Edwards when Hand isn't available. Uwe Alzen will help out with driving duties in the No. 56 at endurance races.

Want to know more? Scroll down below for the complete press release.

Continue reading This is the BMW Z4 GTE that will wear the Roundel in ALMS

This is the BMW Z4 GTE that will wear the Roundel in ALMS originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Feb 2013 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>almsamerican le mans seriesbmwbmw team rllbmw z4 gtemotorsportsz4 gteSun, 17 Feb 2013 10:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20459710/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/17/this-is-the-bmw-z4-gte-that-will-wear-the-roundel-in-alms/20459710/article-detail.xml 20459710 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/bmwz4gte_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/bmwz4gte.jpg <![CDATA[<em>Autoblog</em> goes to <s>Thunderdome</s> 2013 Griffin King of the Hammers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/09/autoblog-goes-to-thunderdome-2013-griffin-king-o/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/09/autoblog-goes-to-thunderdome-2013-griffin-king-o/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/09/autoblog-goes-to-thunderdome-2013-griffin-king-o/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Whenever you want, you can play at being Mad Max. The task only requires closing your eyes, powering up the Gas-Free And Violent Post-Apocalyptic Dystopia program in your mental holodeck, then delivering a few lines in your best early Mel Gibson monotone like, "I think we've got some hoon trouble." or "I'm just here for the gasoline."

It has been called one of the hardest races in the world, numerous times.

Or you can be Mad Max. We've been to a lot of places and a lot of races in the world where you can approach the fantasy, but to go all the way - to a place where asking "When is Humungus coming back?" and "Where can I find Master Blaster?" wouldn't feel strange at all - you need to roll down onto the Means Dry Lake Bed in Johnson Valley, California for King of the Hammers.

What is King of the Hammers? The fact-sheet says it's a 184-mile race through desert and rocks, but the fact sheet can't express the experience. King of the Hammers is a one-day race that combines desert racing at triple-digit speeds, rock racing at double-digit speeds and rock crawling at low single-digit speeds. It comes after a week of vicious, timed punishments for every other kind of vehicle that can blast over barrens and crawl through quarries. It is an endurance test that gives competitors 14 hours to finish before time is called - and even then there's a good chance less than a third of the 120 runners will make it. It has been called one of the hardest races in the world, numerous times. Every year, something like 30,000 people erect a pop-up hamlet called Hammertown for a week to watch it all go down.

More accurately, it is insanity and absurdity that characterizes the best kinds of personal challenges. Even more accurately, it is Thunderdome. And the question that hundreds of off-road racers ask themselves every year, hoping for a chance to just finish - and be stranded in the desert for hours while doing so - is "Thunderdome. How do I get in there?"

Follow us. We'll show you the way.

Continue reading Autoblog goes to Thunderdome 2013 Griffin King of the Hammers

Autoblog goes to Thunderdome 2013 Griffin King of the Hammers originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Feb 2013 20:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 king of the hammersgriffin radiatorsking of the hammersmotorsportsoff-road racingracingSat, 09 Feb 2013 20:25:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20455452/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/09/autoblog-goes-to-thunderdome-2013-griffin-king-o/20455452/article-detail.xml 20455452 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/koth1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/koth1.jpg <![CDATA[Force India reveals VJM06 at Silverstone [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/03/force-india-reveals-vjm06-at-silverstone-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/03/force-india-reveals-vjm06-at-silverstone-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/03/force-india-reveals-vjm06-at-silverstone-w-video/#commentsFiled under: ,



Echoing words spoken at launches of the Formula One cars for Ferrari and McLaren, Sahara Force India F1 technical director Andrew Green said that it's what's under the skin of the VJM06 that marks the car's changes. The team began working on the car in the middle of last year - and cut development on last year's car, which could have played a part in its inability to overtake Sauber for sixth - with the emphasis on simulations and computational fluid design.

An evolution of the VJM05, Green said the engineering team was pushed out of its comfort zone to get everything out of every part in the car. The "rear suspension, front suspension and aerodynamics have all been pushed hard," and there was plenty of work put into making the car easier to drive. The modesty panel over the stepped nose has made it easier to look at.

For now, Paul di Resta will be the only one driving it - instead of being joined by a teammate or reserve driver, he rolled the sheet back with the help of deputy team principal Bob Fernley. Fernley said a driver would be named by the second pre-season test. The video below has the sights and sounds of the VJM06 in wet action at Silverstone.

Continue reading Force India reveals VJM06 at Silverstone [w/video]

Force India reveals VJM06 at Silverstone [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Feb 2013 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1force indiaforce india vjm06formula onemotorsportspaul di restasahara force indiavjm06Sun, 03 Feb 2013 08:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20446046/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/03/force-india-reveals-vjm06-at-silverstone-w-video/20446046/article-detail.xml 20446046 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/forceindiavjm06_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/forceindiavjm06.jpg <![CDATA[The 2013 Rolex 24-hour race at Daytona comes down to the last hour [spoilers, w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/28/the-2013-rolex-24-hour-race-at-daytona-comes-down-to-the-last-ho/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/28/the-2013-rolex-24-hour-race-at-daytona-comes-down-to-the-last-ho/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/28/the-2013-rolex-24-hour-race-at-daytona-comes-down-to-the-last-ho/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



It took 24 hours to run the race, but it was the last one was stuffed with the high action as four cars were still trying to figure out how to gain victory on the track and in the pits. Along with the obligatory crashes, spins, mechanical issues and retirements had come numerous penalties, a double-digit number of full-course yellows and two hours of fog that turned early Sunday morning into a stretch of parade laps.

The final hour would make up for the morning - drivers who might have been happy just to get on the podium had a shot at victory as the end of the race approached, and that turned into a few gambles that paid off, and at least one that didn't...

Continue reading The 2013 Rolex 24-hour race at Daytona comes down to the last hour [spoilers, w/video]

The 2013 Rolex 24-hour race at Daytona comes down to the last hour [spoilers, w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audicaymanganassiganassi racinggrand amgrand-ammotorsportsporscher8rolex 24 at daytonaMon, 28 Jan 2013 17:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20440379/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/28/the-2013-rolex-24-hour-race-at-daytona-comes-down-to-the-last-ho/20440379/article-detail.xml 20440379 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/rolex1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/rolex1.jpg <![CDATA[Famed Brabham name poised for return to F1?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/02/famed-brabham-name-poised-for-return-to-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/02/famed-brabham-name-poised-for-return-to-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/02/famed-brabham-name-poised-for-return-to-f1/#commentsFiled under: ,



A recent report wonders aloud whether the Brabham name is close to a return to Formula One, with family scion David telling a Brazilian outlet "yes, there is the possibility to bring the team back (to F1)." However, the short answer to "Is the Brabham name coming back to Formula One?" is likely "No," and the long answer is likely, "Not for a while."

Why is the rumored return (a thin rumor, at that) even a news item? Because during his spell in the sport, as a driver and then as a team owner, Jack Brabham brought about as much panache, prestige and intrigue to F1 as Ferrari does cachet. The now-86-year-old Brabham won three F1 World Championships, the first in 1959 when he pushed his Cooper over the line after running out of gas. He became team owner in 1961 after his second driver's title, his team collecting a total of six Driver's Championships and four Constructor's Championships before it shut down in 1992. What's more, he was the first team owner to win a Driver's Championship in his own car, then Bernie Ecclestone bought the team, then Alfa Romeo owned it, then Peter Windsor's attempt to own it (which is still a matter of mystery). Denny Hulme of Can-Am fame would also win an F1 championship as a driver for Brabham, Graham Hill, Nikki Lauda and Dan Gurney are also on its list of pilots and Gordon Murray - yes that Gordon Murray of that other F1 - designed the "fan car" for it. It's a big name.

Before the start of the 2010 season, a German businessman who bought the remains of the Super Aguri team lodged an application with the FIA to start a team under the Brabham name. The Brabham family then began court proceedings, claiming they knew nothing about the team or the businessman's rights to use their name. For some context, Lola and March, two additional legendary F1 constructors, also lodged applications to join the circus in 2010, efforts that came to nothing.

That's where things have been for more than three years, and that's why we think this new report is a long way from signaling any Brabham return. Even after the legal battle is settled, any team or naming rights owner would need to find a team to buy or buy the branding rights to. While a sufficient amount of money can always get a conversation started in F1, there probably aren't any teams that truly fit either of those profiles right now.

So you can put your throwback blue and white Parmalat jacket away now, at least until 2014...

Famed Brabham name poised for return to F1? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brabhamf1formula 1formula onejack brabhammotorsportsWed, 02 Jan 2013 17:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20414456/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/02/famed-brabham-name-poised-for-return-to-f1/20414456/article-detail.xml 20414456 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/brabham-f1-parmalat-racer_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/brabham-f1-parmalat-racer.jpg -1 2