Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[SPOILER ALERT: Champion's Champions Crowned at 2009 Race of Champions]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/spoiler-alert-winners-winners-crowned-at-2009-race-of-champion/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/spoiler-alert-winners-winners-crowned-at-2009-race-of-champion/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/spoiler-alert-winners-winners-crowned-at-2009-race-of-champion/#commentsFiled under: ,


2009 Race of Champions - Click above for high-res image gallery

Every year, around the world, drivers compete wheel to wheel in all manner of racing series, from rally to F1, touring cars to Le Mans and everything in between. It gives racing fans plenty of varied action to follow, but it leaves one question ultimately unanswered: who is the world's best driver? That's where the Race of Champions comes in.

The event has been held every year since 1988 at the end of the regular racing season, giving the world's best from all manner of racing series the world over a chance to compete against one another on equal footing and common ground. And this year's Race of Champions was no less decisive. Follow the jump to read who claimed victory as the champion of champions.


Gallery: Race of Champions 2009

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: Champion's Champions Crowned at 2009 Race of Champions

SPOILER ALERT: Champion's Champions Crowned at 2009 Race of Champions originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 race of champions2009RaceOfChampionsbeijingbirds nestBirdsNestchinaekstromfoustgermanymattias ekstromMattiasEkstrommichael schumacherMichaelSchumacherpastranarace of championsrace of champions 2009RaceOfChampionsRaceOfChampions2009rocschumachersebastian vettelSebastianVetteltanner foustTannerFousttravis pastranaTravisPastranavettelWed, 04 Nov 2009 19:26:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Formula D Judgment Day 2009]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/video-formula-d-judgment-day-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/video-formula-d-judgment-day-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/video-formula-d-judgment-day-2009/#commentsFiled under: ,

Formula D Judgment Day - click above image to watch the video

Two weeks ago was Formula D's big season finale and 2009 Championship, AKA Judgment Day. While we (sadly) couldn't be there, we did get a little preview of the event when Tanner Foust took us drifting in his ferret-on-linoleum-out-of-hell stock car-engined Scion. Anyhow, in this video all the usual trouble makers and tire killers are present, including Vaugn Gitten Jr., Samuel Hubinette, Tanner Foust and Joon Maeng -- plus the 2009 season winner, Chris Forsberg. Also -- you're going to like new host Kerryann De La Cruz. Still, wish we could have been there at the Irwindale Speedway watching it all unfold.

But sometimes we just have to settle for second best, which in this case our friends over at WebRidesTV have put together a most excellent Judgment Day video. If you've never given drifting and/or and Formula D a chance, this could be your ticket in. As has been noticed countless times in the past, in what other motorsport do Dodge Vipers and Ford Mustangs go head to head with Nissan Zs, 240SXs and Skylines? Not to mention Toyota AE86 Corollas and the occasional Japanese-tuned Corvette -- on the same track at the same time. It's just nothing but fun. Make the jump to watch the video.


[Source: WebRidesTV]

Continue reading VIDEO: Formula D Judgment Day 2009

VIDEO: Formula D Judgment Day 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chris ForsbergChrisForsbergDriftFormula DFormula DriftFormulaDFormulaDriftIrwindale SpeedwayIrwindaleSpeedwayJoon MaengJoonMaengJudgment DayJudgmentDaySamuel HubinetteSamuelHubinetteTanner FoustTannerFoustVaughn Gittin Jr.VaughnGittinJr.Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Tanner Foust headed back to the 2009 Race of Champions, now at Beijing's Bird's Nest]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/28/tanner-foust-headed-back-to-the-2009-race-of-champions-now-at-b/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/28/tanner-foust-headed-back-to-the-2009-race-of-champions-now-at-b/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/28/tanner-foust-headed-back-to-the-2009-race-of-champions-now-at-b/#commentsFiled under: ,

Michael Schumacher and Tanner Foust at the 2008 Race of Champions

There's our buddy and rally/drift/stunt maestro Tanner Foust (on the right), arm in arm with some guy Michael Schumacher at the 2008 Race of Champions (ROC) held in Wembley Stadium, London. Tanner went as a last minute substitute after Travis Pastrana broke his hip (and ankle) trying to flip a truck. However, in a supposedly backup roll, Foust went on to beat current F1 Champ Jenson Button in front of 80,000 fans before being knocked out of the competition by 2008 ROC runner-up David Coulthard. The 2008 ROC overall winner was none other than Sebastian Loeb.

If you don't know, the Race of Champions was founded in 1988 by former Group B legend Michèle Mouton and is the only race where drivers from different disciplines get the chance to compete against each other in a variety of events utilizing a whole bunch of different cars. The driver skill sets include F1, NASCAR, touring cars, and more recently rally and drift. Last year's cars included everything from a KTM X-Bow to a WRC Ford Focus to special ROC dune buggy. This year should be about the same. 2009 marks a big change for ROC as it leaves jolly old England and heads to China. Bejing specifically and the Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium designed by Herzod and de Meuron.

This year both Foust and Pastrana will be representing Old Glory as the sole American competitors. "I'm very honored to receive the re-invite to the Race of Champions," says Foust. "Pastrana will be the perfect teammate. He's good under pressure, undeniably fast and never misses a side bet." In addition to the ROC, Foust will be participating in daily drift events against a "top Chinese drifter." Having done a bit of dorifto with Mr. Foust ourselves, this Chinese cat had better be good. Like, real good. Best of luck to both Tanner and Travis, as they're going to need it against guys like Schumacher and Pirro. The Race of Champions takes place November 3-4.

[Source: Race of Champions]

Tanner Foust headed back to the 2009 Race of Champions, now at Beijing's Bird's Nest originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 Race of Champions2009RaceOfChampionsDavid CoulthardDavidCoulthardFoustJenson ButtonJensonButtonMichael SchumacherMichaelSchumacherMichele MoutonMicheleMoutonRace of ChampionsRace of Champions 2009RaceOfChampionsRaceOfChampions2009ROCTannerTanner FoustTannerFoustTravis PastranaTravisPastranaWed, 28 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoblog goes drifting with Tanner Foust in NASCAR-powered Scion tC!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/autoblog-goes-drifting-with-tanner-foust/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/autoblog-goes-drifting-with-tanner-foust/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/autoblog-goes-drifting-with-tanner-foust/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Autoblog goes drifting with Tanner Foust - Click above for high-res image gallery

"It feels like I'm down on power!" yells Tanner Foust in the general direction of the gathered throngs containing both his crew and assorted media. Tanner and myself are currently five-point bolted into his new stock car-engined Formula D Scion tC. We've just exited an aborted lap around the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale because something - so says Foust - is amiss with the car.

Rockstar Energy Drink Drift captain Stephan Papadakis comes charging towards the Scion and begins earnestly, if not frantically, checking the car's vitals through the steering wheel's digital readout. Steph floors the motor a few times, checks the numbers and exasperatedly tells Foust that everything looks fine. "Oh," says Tanner, patting me on my beer belly. "Must be him." Very funny, jerk.


Gallery: Autoblog Goes Drifting with Tanner Foust


Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Autoblog goes drifting with Tanner Foust in NASCAR-powered Scion tC!

Autoblog goes drifting with Tanner Foust in NASCAR-powered Scion tC! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>driftdrift sciondriftingDriftScionfeaturedformula dformula driftFormulaDFormulaDriftfoustirwindalenascar scionNascarScionpapadakisrockstarrockstar energy drinkRockstarEnergyDrinkscion driftScionDrifttanner foustTannerFousttoyota speedwayToyotaSpeedwayMon, 12 Oct 2009 14:56:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Behind the scenes of the PSP vs Driver ad]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/video-behind-the-scenes-of-the-psp-vs-driver-ad/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/video-behind-the-scenes-of-the-psp-vs-driver-ad/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/video-behind-the-scenes-of-the-psp-vs-driver-ad/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Gran Turismo for PSP - Click above image to view the video after the jump

If you missed the Gran Turismo Playstation Portable ad we featured earlier this week, have a look. We'll wait...

Back? Great. What you saw was Tanner Foust and Rhys Millen running around Laguna Seca, with Millen behind the wheel of a Corvette ZR1 and Foust riding shotgun while running the track on Sony's PSP.

Millen was kind enough to sent us a link to a behind the scenes video of the shoot, and along with Foust and Millen, we also get to see director Jeff Zwart and Rhy's rally champion father, Rod Millen, driving a few other cars during filming. Zwart is a long time rally driver/racer along with being a photographer and filmmaker, and in the new clip we get to see a few other cars (GT-R, Ford GT and... is that an E39 M5? Awesome!) mixing it up and getting sideways at speed with a camera car in the middle of the action. Best job ever? Pretty close. Make the jump to check it out.

Continue reading VIDEO: Behind the scenes of the PSP vs Driver ad

VIDEO: Behind the scenes of the PSP vs Driver ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gran turismogran turismo pspGranTurismoGranTurismoPspjeff zwartJeffZwartpsprhys millenRhysMillenrod millenRodMillentanner foustTannerFoustvideoThu, 01 Oct 2009 19:58:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Gran Turismo PSP ad at Laguna Seca is art imitating life imitating art. Or something.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/29/video-gran-turismo-psp-ad-at-laguna-seca-is-art-imitating-life/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/29/video-gran-turismo-psp-ad-at-laguna-seca-is-art-imitating-life/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/29/video-gran-turismo-psp-ad-at-laguna-seca-is-art-imitating-life/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Gran Turismo for PSP - click above image to watch the video

In terms of tracks, we'd guess that while the Nürburgring gets the most press, Laguna Seca is number two. And with good reason, as Mazda's Raceway is fast, technical, beautiful and challenging. Plus, because the famed track's in Caramel, California, you get gorgeous, picture postcard weather for ten months of the year. If not more. Then, of course, there's the famous Corkscrew, and all of the hijinks that it ensures.

So large is Laguna's legend that Sony is now using to the track to sell its newly PSP ported version of Gran Turismo, the ever popular racing game. And as far as commercials go, this is one of the few we wish were a few minutes longer. The 'vert takes place on track at Laguna Seca where a Corvette ZR1 is chasing down a Ford GT and Nissan GT-R. And is that Tanner Foust? We think it is. Also, bonus points for whoever can identify the car the Blue Devil passes at the very beginning. Okay, we've stalled long enough. Make the jump to watch the video.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Gran Turismo PSP ad at Laguna Seca is art imitating life imitating art. Or something.

VIDEO: Gran Turismo PSP ad at Laguna Seca is art imitating life imitating art. Or something. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chevrolet Corvette ZR1ChevroletCorvetteZr1Corvette ZR1CorvetteZr1Ford GTFordGtGran TurismoGran Turismo PSPGranTurismoGranTurismoPspLaguna SecaLagunaSecaMazda Raceway Laguna SecaMazdaRacewayLagunaSecaPSPTanner FoustTannerFoustZR1Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #141 - Now with 100% more Tanner Foust!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/18/autoblog-podcast-141/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/18/autoblog-podcast-141/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/18/autoblog-podcast-141/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Episode #141 of the Autoblog Podcast marks the first time we're joined by a guest outside the Autoblog Inner Circle, and we're hoping that it's the start of a trend. This week, our interview couch is occupied by drift, rally and stunt legend (and all-around good guy) Tanner Foust, the only back-to-back Formula D champion ever. Since Tanner's a racer, we kick off the show talking about the heartbreaking Ferrari crash at Monterey before touching on the Dodge Viper powered Devon GTX and its screaming lap at Laguna Seca.

Actual news starts with talk of the Hyundai Equus coming to the United States, moves on to the Volkswagen Phaeton's supposed return to the North American market, and then to the Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder. Acura's ZDX tickles (or not) our design eyes, and then we wrap up with some of your questions. Thanks for the new reviews at the Autoblog Podcast iTunes page, as well as taking the time to fill out our survey. The feedback to our Podcast at Autoblog Dot Com address has been great, too, so keep it coming... see you next week!



Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #141 - Now with 100% more Tanner Foust!

Autoblog Podcast #141 - Now with 100% more Tanner Foust! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acura zdxAcuraZdxautoblog podcastAutoblogPodcastdevondevon gtxDevonGtxfalsefeaturedferrari 250ferrari 250 testa rossaferrari 250 trferrari 250 tr crashferrari 250trferrari crashferrari monterey crashFerrari250Ferrari250TestaRossaFerrari250trFerrari250TrCrashFerrariCrashFerrariMontereyCrashhyundai equusHyundaiEquusphaetonphaeton returnphaeton returning to usPhaetonReturnphaetonreturningtouspodcast 141podcast tanner foustPodcast141PodcastTannerFoustspyker c8spyker c8 aileronspyker c8 aileron spyderSpykerC8SpykerC8AileronSpykerC8AileronSpydertanner foustTannerFoustvolkswagen phaetonVolkswagenPhaetonvw phaetonVwPhaetonzdxTue, 18 Aug 2009 16:20:00 ESTAutoblog Podcast #141Autoblog68:00tanner foust, podcast 141, spyker aileron, devon gtx, ferrari 250tr crash, ferrari monterey crash, hyundai equus, volkswagen phaeton, acura zdx <![CDATA[X Games 15: Ford Fiesta, Kenny Brack get the gold]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/02/x-games-15-ford-fiesta-kenny-brack-get-the-gold/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/02/x-games-15-ford-fiesta-kenny-brack-get-the-gold/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/02/x-games-15-ford-fiesta-kenny-brack-get-the-gold/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

X Games 15 Crowns New Rally King - Click above for high-res image gallery

We're not going to say we told you so - because we didn't - but we are going to go ahead and say we're totally not shocked that former Indy 500 champ Kenny Brack just won some X Games gold. After all, we're still a touch weak in the knees from our little ride along with him and his atomic weasel Ford Fiesta rally car last Thursday. First thing's first: what a coup for Ford. Beating Subaru at X Games is like beating Muhammad Ali in the 1960s. It just doesn't happen very often. Turns out that the big jump that had everyone at Ford a little more worried than they were publicly letting on just wasn't an issue. The hopped up Fiestas did great. In fact all three Ford drivers (Brack, Foust and Deegan) made it to the semifinals, along with Subaru's Travis Pastrana.

What a great intro to the sport of rallying for Kenny Brack. It looked as if Foust was going to beat Brack heads up, but then Tanner spun out and Brack was pitted against Pastrana and his Subaru in the final. Pastrana is ahead after one lap and everyone had pretty much concluded that he was about to win his umpteenth X Game event. But at the start of the second lap, Pastrana goes wide, spins, hits the back left side of his car against a barrier and can't continue. Ten years after winning the the Indy 500, Kenny Brack wins X Games Rally gold. Good job, Kenny.

Follow the jump to watch video of the finals contest at this year's 2009 X Games.


Gallery: X Games 15 Crowns New Rally King

8957005189570046895700888957002289569825

[Source: ESPN]

Continue reading X Games 15: Ford Fiesta, Kenny Brack get the gold

X Games 15: Ford Fiesta, Kenny Brack get the gold originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 X Games2009XGamesbreakingDeeganFiestaFiesta Rally CarFiestaRallyCarfodrFordFord FiestaFord Fiesta RallyFord Fiesta Rally CarFordFiestaFordFiestaRallyFordFiestaRallyCarKen BlockKenBlockKenny BrackKennyBrackOpen Class STIOpen Class SubaruOpen Class Subaru WRX STIOpenClassStiOpenClassSubaruOpenClassSubaruWrxStiSubarusubaru wrxSubaru WRX STISubaruWrxSubaruWrxStiTanner FoustTannerFoustTravis PastranaTravisPastranaWRX STIWrxStiX GamesX Games 15XGamesXGames15Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:45:00 EST<![CDATA[2009 X Games Rally Car ride along]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/31/2009-x-games-rally-car-ride-along/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/31/2009-x-games-rally-car-ride-along/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/31/2009-x-games-rally-car-ride-along/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


2009 X Games Rally Car ride along - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you've never been given a "hot lap" by a professional driver, let me try and convey what the experience is like. You're usually dehydrated and have been standing on a heat-soaked paddock for far too long. There's a track rat (or two) whose job it is to get a helmet and HANS device fastened on you and their default thinking is that you've never even seen a track before, much less driven on one. You're wearing your street clothes, and items like your wallet and cell phone make it even harder for them to get you shoehorned and belted into the seat. The passenger seats are typically much narrower than the driver's seat and you're typically much fatter than the driver. It can be pretty embarrassing. Once you're secured, the driver sticks his hand out, you shake it and then you're off.

Follow the jump to find out what happens next.


Gallery: 2009 X Games Rally Car ride along

subarufordxgames000subarufordxgames001subarufordxgames002subarufordxgames003subarufordxgames004

Photos Copyright (C)2009 Jonny Lieberman / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading 2009 X Games Rally Car ride along

2009 X Games Rally Car ride along originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 Ford Fiesta2009 Ford Fiesta Rally car2009 Ford Fiesta Rallycross2009 Subaru WRX STI2009 X Games2009FordFiesta2009FordFiestaRallyCar2009FordFiestaRallycross2009SubaruWrxSti2009XGamesDave MirraDaveMirrafeaturedFiestaFiesta Rally Carfiesta rallycrossFiestaRallyCarFiestaRallycrossFordford fiestaFord Fiesta Rally CarFord Fiesta WRCFordFiestaFordFiestaRallyCarFordFiestaWrcimprezaKen BlockKenBlockKenny BrackKennyBrackOpen ClassOpen Class SubaruOpen Class Subaru WRX STIOpenClassOpenClassSubaruOpenClassSubaruWrxStiRallySTISubarusubaru imprezaSubaru WRX STISubaruImprezaSubaruWrxStiTanner FoustTannerFoustTravis PastranaTravisPastranaWRXWRX STIWrxStiX Gamesx games rallyXGamesXGamesRallyFri, 31 Jul 2009 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford Fiestas set to break up Subaru's party at X Games 15]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/29/ford-fiestas-set-to-break-up-the-subaru-party-at-x-games-15/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/29/ford-fiestas-set-to-break-up-the-subaru-party-at-x-games-15/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/29/ford-fiestas-set-to-break-up-the-subaru-party-at-x-games-15/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Ford Fiesta X Games Preview - Click above for a high-res image gallery

The first three X Games Rally competitions have been dominated by Subaru, with most of the drivers picking the WRX STi as their vehicle of choice. Ford is determined to change that, and is making its X Games debut with a trio of Fiesta rally cars prepared by Olsberg Motor Sport Evolution, the same team that ran the Fiesta duo at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb earlier this month. Piloting the rally cars will be a stellar lineup of drivers including Tanner Foust, a two-time X games medalist in the rally event, Kenny Brack, winner of the 1999 Indy 500, and X Games Motocross veteran Brian Deegan.

We caught up with the three cars yesterday at the El Toro Marine base in Irvine, CA, where the drivers were doing practice runs up and down the abandoned air strips. Each seemed to be coming to grips with the power of their cars, all shod with grippy BFGoodrich g-Force Rally tires, and even the experienced Foust called the Fiesta Rallycross an "angry little beast." Still, we have no doubt that they'll have the cars mastered by Thursday's practice sessions, and we wouldn't be surprised to see any of the Fiestas in the final race on Sunday.

Highlights of the X Games Rally can be viewed on ESPN and ESPN 2 starting July 30, and the final will be aired live on ABC on August 2nd from 3:00-6:00 pm EST. You can read more about the Fiesta Rallycross in the press release after the jump, and check out our gallery of yesterday's practice session below.


Gallery: Ford Fiesta Rallycross X Games Preview


Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Ford Fiestas set to break up Subaru's party at X Games 15

Ford Fiestas set to break up Subaru's party at X Games 15 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 X Games2009XGames2011 Ford Fiesta2011FordFiestaBrian DeeganBrianDeeganFiestaFordford fiestaFord Fiesta Rally CarFord Fiesta RallycrossFordFiestaFordFiestaRallyCarFordFiestaRallycrossKenny BrackKennyBrackTanner FoustTannerFoustX GamesX Games 15XGamesXGames15Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford attacking X Games with star-studded trio of Fiesta rally cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/ford-attacking-x-games-with-star-studded-trio-of-fiesta-rally-ca/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/ford-attacking-x-games-with-star-studded-trio-of-fiesta-rally-ca/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/ford-attacking-x-games-with-star-studded-trio-of-fiesta-rally-ca/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Tanner Foust's 2009 Olsbergs MSE ROCKSTAR Ford Fiesta - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford knows better than most that the way into an American car buyer's heart is through motor racing, so the latest step in Ford's North American "Fiesta Movement" is the deployment of the compact hatchback which we've driven and enjoyed on several occasions on America's most popular rally circuits.

Following its entry in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Ford will be fielding a team of rally-prepped Fiestas in the upcoming X Games, the 15th running of the famous stunt competition and the first time Ford will participate. Piloting a trio of Fiestas prepared by the same Swedish MSE outfit that created Marcus Gronholm's rallycross car will be a star-studded line-up comprised of drift champion Tanner Foust, ten-time X Games medalist Brian Deegan and former Indy champion Kenny Brack. With that much talent behind the wheel, we'll look forward to the Fiesta Movement getting into motion at the games running in Los Angeles from July 30 to August 2. Details are available in the press release below the fold and a pair of sketches of the X Games Fiestas can be found in the gallery below.


Gallery: 2009 X Games Ford Fiestas

Continue reading Ford attacking X Games with star-studded trio of Fiesta rally cars

Ford attacking X Games with star-studded trio of Fiesta rally cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian deeganBrianDeeganfiestafiesta movementFiestaMovementford fiestaFordFiestafoustkenny brackKennyBrackmseolsbergspikes peakPikesPeaktanner foustTannerFoustx gamesXGamesThu, 02 Jul 2009 16:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Tanner Foust's V8 RWD Scion tC Formula Drift car unveiled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/13/tanner-fousts-v8-rwd-scion-tc-formula-drift-car-unveiled/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/13/tanner-fousts-v8-rwd-scion-tc-formula-drift-car-unveiled/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/13/tanner-fousts-v8-rwd-scion-tc-formula-drift-car-unveiled/#commentsFiled under: ,


2009 Formula D AEM/Rockstar Scion tC - Click above for high-res image gallery
While all eyes were on Scion unveiling its take on the Toyota iQ city car at the New York Auto Show, the youth-oriented Toyota division quietly let slip a batch of photos of its latest challenger for the Formula Drift championship. But if these photos are any indication, it'll be the last time this insanely modified Scion tC will be doing anything quietly.

Although the drift car you see here looks like a tC, underneath it's anything but... heck, it doesn't even use the tC's floorplan, it's so heavily modified. As previewed last week on video, this latest Scion drifter, prepared by drag racing and drift veteran Stephan Papadakis of Advanced Engine Management (AEM), packs a V8 courtesy of Toyota's NASCAR racing program, pumping 650 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque through a four-speed shifter to the rear wheels. Of course, there's only one driftsmith who could handle this much machine, and that's Tanner Foust.

The two-time defending Formula D champion - who has some extra time on his lightning-quick hands since Top Gear USA got canceled - ditches the Nissan Z he's been fielding the last few years in favor of this modified Scion, and takes his sponsor Rockstar Energy Drink along with him. The car debuted this weekend at the Formula D season opener in Long Beach, California, where Foust finished third and our man Drew Phillips was on hand to catch it in his lens. Check out the images in the pair of hi-res gallery below.


Gallery: 2009 Formula D AEM/Rockstar Scion tC


Gallery: Tanner Foust's AEM/Rockstar Scion tC


Live photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc

[Source: Scion via Inside Line]

Tanner Foust's V8 RWD Scion tC Formula Drift car unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced engine managementAdvancedEngineManagementaemaem rockstar scion tcAemRockstarScionTcformula dformula driftFormulaDFormulaDriftfoustrockstarscionscion tcscion tc formula dScionTcScionTcFormulaDtannertanner foustTannerFousttoyotatoyota nascarToyotaNascarMon, 13 Apr 2009 10:58:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Rockstar/AEM's NASCAR V8-powered Scion tC drift car gets unboxed]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/07/video-rockstar-aems-nascar-v8-powered-scion-tc-drift-car-gets/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/07/video-rockstar-aems-nascar-v8-powered-scion-tc-drift-car-gets/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/07/video-rockstar-aems-nascar-v8-powered-scion-tc-drift-car-gets/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above to view the videos after the jump

Here are two things that don't come to mind when you think of Scion: rear-wheel drive and V8 power. But that's exactly what the Rockstar/AEM crew have created with the Formula D-bound Scion tC. Joe Gibbs, TRD and Papadakis Racing put in the wrench time on the new racer and underhood is a V8 pulled from Toyota's NASCAR efforts and retuned with a drift-friendly powerband. Most of the details are still shrouded in mystery, but the noise emanating from the tC's exhaust is more than enough to get us interested. Check out a brief interview with the Steph and a "spy video" of it testing after the break.

[Sources: AutoFiends, MotorWorldHype]

Continue reading VIDEO: Rockstar/AEM's NASCAR V8-powered Scion tC drift car gets unboxed

VIDEO: Rockstar/AEM's NASCAR V8-powered Scion tC drift car gets unboxed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>formula dFormulaDnascarscion tc drifterScionTcDriftersteph papadakisStephPapadakistanner foustTannerFoustv8videoTue, 07 Apr 2009 11:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Tanner Foust takes Travis Pastrana's place at the Race of Champions]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/11/tanner-foust-takes-travis-pastranas-place-at-the-race-of-champi/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/11/tanner-foust-takes-travis-pastranas-place-at-the-race-of-champi/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/11/tanner-foust-takes-travis-pastranas-place-at-the-race-of-champi/#commentsFiled under:



After a report surfaced yesterday that Travis Pastrana sustained injuries to his hip and ankle during an unknown accident, rumors began to circulate that Tanner Foust would replace the X Games alumni and three-time RoC finalist in this weekend's Race of Champions. The rumors have been confirmed and Foust is currently prepping with teammate and NASCAR driver Carl Edwards to represent Team USA at the RoC Nations Cup.

The X-Games rally competitor, Speed TV presenter and one of the trio set to lead the U.S. version of Top Gear will join Mattias Ekstrom, Sebastian Loeb and Michael Schumacher at Wembley Stadium behind the wheel of KTM X-Bows, Ford Focus WRC cars and Abarth Assetto Corsas. Fifty-thousand spectators are expect to pack the arena and the RoC will air on Discover HD sometime early next year. If you want to catch Foust and the rest of the drivers in action this weekend, Freecaster.tv will begin airing the RoC live at 5:30 GMT (12:30 PM EST, 9:30 AM PST) this Sunday.

[Image: Jonathan Moore/Getty]

Continue reading Tanner Foust takes Travis Pastrana's place at the Race of Champions

Tanner Foust takes Travis Pastrana's place at the Race of Champions originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008 race of champions2008RaceOfChampionsrace of championsRaceOfChampionstanner foustTannerFousttravis pastranaTravisPastranaThu, 11 Dec 2008 14:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Tanner Foust captures second straight Formula Drift championship]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/13/tanner-foust-captures-second-straight-formula-drift-championship/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/13/tanner-foust-captures-second-straight-formula-drift-championship/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/13/tanner-foust-captures-second-straight-formula-drift-championship/#commentsFiled under:


Click above for high-res gallery of the Formula Drift Series at Irwindale

Our never-ending interest in the upcoming U.S. Top Gear has us usually thinking of Tanner Foust as a television host, so we often forget that he has another day job sliding a Nissan 350Z around racetracks in the Formula Drift series. Tanner came into the final round this weekend at Irwindale Speedway at the top of the points race, and he needed to stay ahead of Sam Hubinette in his Dodge Viper and Rhys Millen in his Pontiac Solstice to capture his second straight championship. He did just that, finishing in second place behind Vaughn Gitten Jr., who captured his first win in the series in his Falken Tire Ford Mustang. The top 16 drivers from the event also qualified for the upcoming Red Bull Drifting World Championship next month in Long Beach. We braved the flying chunks of rubber (no, really - there's a reason Formula Drift has more tire sponsors than any other motorsports series) to bring you a gallery of high resolution photographs from the event, which can be seen in the gallery below. Full details of the event can also be found in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2008 Formula Drift at Irwindale Speedway


All photos Copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Tanner Foust captures second straight Formula Drift championship

Tanner Foust captures second straight Formula Drift championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008 Formula Drift Irwindale Speedway2008FormulaDriftIrwindaleSpeedwaydriftingFormula DriftFormula Drift Final FightFormula Drift Irwindale SpeedwayFormulaDriftFormulaDriftFinalFightFormulaDriftIrwindaleSpeedwayTanner FoustTannerFousttop geartop gear usaTopGearTopGearUsaMon, 13 Oct 2008 10:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Tanner tests his Top Gear skills on the Lambo Reventon]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/31/tanner-tests-his-top-gear-skills-on-the-lambo-reventon/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/31/tanner-tests-his-top-gear-skills-on-the-lambo-reventon/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/31/tanner-tests-his-top-gear-skills-on-the-lambo-reventon/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



One-third of American Top Gear, Tanner Foust, spent a day in the Lamborghini Reventon, and here's his verdict: "Thumbs up big girl!" The fractional bit of additional horsepower didn't mean much to him, but he did say the brakes were more capable, and, surprise, the car is quite wide and people like to stare at it. After six hours on Italy's B-roads, that basically sums up his impressions. Since he didn't have too much to say in print, we really do hope he's saving the zingers for the show...

[Source: AutoFiends]

Tanner tests his Top Gear skills on the Lambo Reventon originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Aug 2008 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american top gearAmericanTopGearcoupecoupeslamborghinilamborghini reventonLamborghiniReventonreventonsupercarsupercarstanner foustTannerFousttop gearTopGearSun, 31 Aug 2008 13:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Rally at X Games 14 wows the crowds [SPOILER ALERT]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/04/rally-at-x-games-14-wows-the-crowds-spoiler-alert/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/04/rally-at-x-games-14-wows-the-crowds-spoiler-alert/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/04/rally-at-x-games-14-wows-the-crowds-spoiler-alert/#commentsFiled under:


Click above for high-res gallery of rally at X Games 14

You can bitch and moan about the X Games version of rally racing being less pure than what you see on WRC, and while there are no trees whizzing by or bottomless pits in which to careen, the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA offered many opportunities for competitors to crash their cars in spectacular fashion. This year's event at X Games 14 was divided between driving on dirt within the stadium and pavement outside with a big jump smack dab in the center of the stadium giving fans the best view of the biggest car-nage.

The most spectacular example of mechanical mayhem from this past weekend's two-hour competition was during the quarterfinals in which Andrew Comrie-Picard didn't quite make the big jump and smacked his rear end on the lip of the receiving ramp, which flipped his car end over end (see above and more in gallery). His competitor at the time, Dave Mirra, who is an X Games alum competing for the first time in a car rather than on a bike, just had to finish to win. He tagged the wall halfway through the race, however, and was forced to finish without being able to turn left.

Find out what happened in the gold medal race, as well video of that race and the Mirra/Comrie-Picard duel after the jump, and view some photos of yesterday's Rally X action in the gallery below.

Gallery: X Games 14 (2008) - Rally


[Source: Expn]

Continue reading Rally at X Games 14 wows the crowds [SPOILER ALERT]

Rally at X Games 14 wows the crowds [SPOILER ALERT] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filming for the NBC pilot for Top Gear has wrapped. Speculation about the show's format and hosting choices has left Top Gear fans hoping for at least a decent representation of the popular British show. Some of those prayers may be answered , as NBC brought in a number of BBC folks, along with the original Top Gear producer, the assist in the pilot's taping. The show follows the BBC version's format, right down to the set details. Also, as noted earlier, the "star in a reasonably priced car" segment gets carried over. However, the driver might come as a bit of a surprise (a really awesome surprise, at that). The signature top-notch video production viewers expect is there, though it must be said that the geography of the United States offers a richer variety of visual possibilities than you might be accustomed to seeing on Jeremy & Co.'s show.

One key to the BBC Top Gear's is the camraderie between the presenters. As such, it's probably a little unfair to compare the Top Gear of today, 11 seasons in, to a crew just coming together for the first time. Still, Carolla, Foust and Stromer are off to a good start. Their interactions during taped segments were wildly entertaining, enough to distract the show's own crew members from their tasks. Each host fits into his own role, but not the exact molds laid out by Jezza, Hamster and Captain Slow. Carolla's razor-sharp wit is on full display. Causing at least one member of the audience to say, "That is the most funny Adam Carolla has ever been." Foust is also not made out to be anything more than a total car geek -- his true personality. His enthusiasm may be too technical for general consumption on its own, but it's perfectly complimented by Carolla's blunt comedy. Stromer doesn't fare nearly as well. Before the live audience, he comes across as if he were presenting a sales pitch to a room full of prospective timeshare buyers. Hopefully, he'll adapt his field mannerisms, which are far more easygoing, into his studio presence in the future. That is, if the show has a future on American television.

Top Gear pilot: That's a wrap! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Adam CorollaAdamCorollaEric StromerEricStromerNBCTanner FoustTannerFoustTop GearTop Gear USATopGearTopGearUsaSun, 27 Jul 2008 09:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Tanner Foust sheds light on <i>Top Gear USA</i> in blog interview]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/tanner-foust-sheds-light-on-i-top-gear-usa-i-in-blog-intervie/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/tanner-foust-sheds-light-on-i-top-gear-usa-i-in-blog-intervie/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/tanner-foust-sheds-light-on-i-top-gear-usa-i-in-blog-intervie/#comments

With all our mouths salivating over the upcoming NBC version of the hit BBC program Top Gear, the guys over at Autofiends got a chance to sit down with Tanner Foust. As we revealed a couple of weeks ago, in addition to being a drifting and rallying champion, Tanner will be one of the three hosts - alongside Adam Carolla and Eric Stromer - who will be anchoring the Americanized show.

The interview makes for an interesting read, and in the process Foust casts a bit more light on what we can expect from the show. For example, while the BBC's publicly-funded format allows for full-hour shows, the NBC program will run closer to 42 minutes with commercials breaking up the shorter segments. The show's test track - en route to which Foust got lost with Jeremy Clarkson in a Callaway Corvette - is based in Orange County, California. And to the best of his understanding, Foust and his co-hosts will be free to speak their minds about the vehicles they'll be reviewing, which he promises will run the spectrum from budget automobiles to supercars, alongside "epic" challenges in true "American style where bigger is better". We'll be looking forward to seeing for ourselves. Follow the link to read the full interview.

[Source: Autofiends.com]

Tanner Foust sheds light on Top Gear USA in blog interview originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top Gear has just officially announced who will be hosting the U.S. version of the popular car show born in the UK and now officially scheduled to appear on NBC sometime this fall, and the winners are... (drum roll, please): Adam Carolla, Tanner Foust and Eric Stromer. Everyone knows Adam Carolla, of course, having watched him hit the big time hosting The Man Show with Jimmy Kimmel. He now hosts his own nationally-syndicated radio show called "The Adam Carolla Show". Tanner Foust brings some actual professional driving cred to the show with a resume that includes stunt driving in "The Bourne Ultimatum," "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" and "The Dukes of Hazard". He's also a winning rally driver, has medaled in the 2007 X-Games and hosted "Supercars Exposed" on the SPEED Channel. Eric Stomer was the last to be cast and when you see him, you'll probably say "I know that guy." He's hosted an HGTV show called "Over Your Head", was a former soap-opera actor and spent a lot of time in construction (and on construction-related TV shows). Guess we'll pick him to win the amphibious vehicle challenges. We surmise that producers may have picked Stromer because he's a hunk of man meat, but also because he can bring in a big female audience from his time spent on HGTV.

The press release after the jump also reveals what each host drives, and as you would imagine, Carolla (who will now be referred to as Jezza Jr.) sports a garage full of Lamborghinis, Maseratis, two Ferraris and an Audi S4. Foust makes do with a simple, tricked out BMW M3. Stromer... a Camry Hybrid. Something tells us Stromer better come equipped with a thick skin. So what do you think? Does Top Gear USA now appear better suited for success or does the show have Bucket of Fail written all over it?

[Source: NBC, Top Gear]

Continue reading Top Gear USA hosts announced!

Top Gear USA hosts announced! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam carollaAdamCarollabreakingeric stromerEricStromertanner foustTannerFousttop geartop gear usatop gear usa hostsTopGearTopGearUsaTopGearUsaHostsMon, 16 Jun 2008 12:01:00 EST