Autoblog

X Games 17 brings RallyCross to the streets of L.A. [spoilers w/video]

Drew Phillips — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST

Over the weekend, rally cars took over the streets of downtown Los Angeles to compete in X Games 17. The field of drivers was perhaps the most prestigious yet, with plenty of X Games veterans like Tanner Foust, Travis Pastrana and Brian Deegan facing tough new challengers in the form of Marcus Grönholm, two-time World Champion of the World Rally Championship series and European RallyCross veteran Liam Doran.

The new venue, the third in three years, provided an interesting setting to watch rally cars fly by - traffic whizzed by on the 110 Freeway just a block away - and for the drivers, it was a welcome change to last year's tight and confusing course at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. The venue wasn't ideal for spectators, however, with much of the course hidden from view on the main grandstands. For members of the media such as ourselves, photographing the event was nearly impossible as well, with high fencing blocking nearly every good view.

Even so, the drives put on quite a show for those watching at home on television. With so many talented drivers in so many fast cars, entertaining matchups were inevitable. Click through the jump to read more and watch the wacky action in some X Games-provided videos.

Continue reading X Games 17 brings RallyCross to the streets of L.A. [spoilers w/video]

X Games 17 brings RallyCross to the streets of L.A. [spoilers w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video: Travis Pastrana's Mt. Washington run from many HD angles

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos

HD footage of Travis Pastrana's Mt. Washington Auto Road run - Click above to watch video after the jump

In case you didn't get enough of the previous video of Travis Pastrana's unofficially record-breaking Mt. Washington Auto Road run, there's now more to see and it's almost all HD in-car and and on-car camerawork. Think of it as the extended director's cut. All seven minutes and 25 seconds of it are after the jump.

[Source: Vermont Sports Car]

Continue reading Video: Travis Pastrana's Mt. Washington run from many HD angles

Video: Travis Pastrana's Mt. Washington run from many HD angles originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Sep 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Autoblog Podcast #195 - Econoline, Panamera, hot-rod Foresters, Pik-Ups and Mount Washington

Dan Roth — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Ford, GMC, Honda, Lexus, Lincoln, Porsche, Subaru

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

It's Episode #195 of the Autoblog Podcast, and Chris, Alex, Sam and Dan talk about the half century of Ford Econolines, Porsche's impressive Panamera sales, the death of the Mahindra deal with Global Vehicles USA, a possible hot-rod Forester, and Travis Pastrana's obliteration of editor Neff's Mount Washington hillclimb time (oh, and he destroyed the record by 20 seconds, too.) Two questions cap it at just over an hour this week. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #195 - Econoline, Panamera, hot-rod Foresters, Pik-Ups and Mount Washington

In the Autoblog Garage:

2011 Honda Odyssey
GMC Sierra 3500 HD
2011 Ford Edge

News:

Hosts:
Dan Roth, Sam Abuelsamid, Chris Shunk, Alex Nunez

Runtime: 69:34

Gallery: Old Ford Econolines

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #195 - Econoline, Panamera, hot-rod Foresters, Pik-Ups and Mount Washington originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video: Watch Travis Pastrana's run up Mt. Washington

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 20:16:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Subaru

Travis Pastrana at Mt. Washington - Click above to view the video after the jump

We broke the news, now watch video of Travis Pastrana's record-setting run up Mt. Washington behind the wheel of a race-prepped Subaru WRX STI. Sure beats the hell out of Herr Neff's time of 20-some minutes...

Gallery: Travis Pastrana breaks Mt. Washington Auto Road record

Continue reading Video: Watch Travis Pastrana's run up Mt. Washington

Video: Watch Travis Pastrana's run up Mt. Washington originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 20:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

X Games 16 Rally offers up plenty of high, lows, and double gold

Drew Phillips — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 20:05:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

X Games 16 SuperRally - Click above for high-res image gallery

Race day for the X Games rally car action started out much like the practice sessions had begun the day before - with plenty of frustration. The drivers finally figured out how to deal with the steep drop-off in the dirt portion of the track that led back into the L.A. Coliseum, but a new challenge presented itself. The course layout for the rally racing portion of the event was designed with some very tight turns. So tight, in fact, that after a few practice laps only a handful of drivers could actually make it around the course without having to execute a three-point turn.

Much of the morning saw drivers working with course officials to create a course that the cars could actually drive on. After a few different configurations were tried, one was found, but at that point there wasn't any time left for practice. Essentially, the drivers would be competing on a course that they had never driven on. Would that result in excitement, chaos or both? Follow the jump to find out.

Gallery: X Games 16 Rally Car Racing

Gallery: X Games 16 SuperRally

Continue reading X Games 16 Rally offers up plenty of high, lows, and double gold

X Games 16 Rally offers up plenty of high, lows, and double gold originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Aug 2010 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

X Games 16 Preview: Autoblog rides shotgun with the stars of Rally Car [w/video]

Drew Phillips — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Hatchback, Ford, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Celebrities, Racing

X Games 16 Subaru Practice Session - Click above for high-res image gallery

It was just a short time ago - five years, to be exact - that rallying was introduced as a competition in the X Games. The first event started out in spectacular fashion, with Travis Pastrana beating out the late Colin McRae after the former World Rally Championship winner rolled his car with just a few turns to go.

Since then, the competition has become stronger and car manufacturers have increased their involvement as interest in the sport has increased thanks to ESPN's mainstream audience. This year looks to be one of the most exciting events yet with a host of new cars, new drivers, new rules and even a new event. Follow the jump to learn about what to expect for this year's X Games 16 and what it's like to ride shotgun in a 500-horsepower rally car.

Gallery: X Games 16 Rally Preview - Subaru

Gallery: X Games 16 Rally Preview - ACP Racing

Continue reading X Games 16 Preview: Autoblog rides shotgun with the stars of Rally Car [w/video]

X Games 16 Preview: Autoblog rides shotgun with the stars of Rally Car [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Subaru releases 2011 rally cars at X-Games

Zach Bowman — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Budget, Performance, Hatchback, Subaru

Subaru has pulled back the sheets on the company's newest breed of rally heathens. Built by Vermont SportsCar, the all-wheel drive bruisers will be piloted by the likes of Travis Pastrana and Sverre Isachsen at this year's X Games. The tuning house started with a bone-stock 2011 WRX STI before gutting the interior, seam-welding the entire chassis and stitching in a full roll cage. The stock gas tank was scrapped for a rally-legal fuel cell, and a fire-suppression system installed in case things go fricassee. Down below, a set of EXE-TC adjustable coilovers were swapped for the stock bits to help the car tackle the varied course of X Games 16.

The speed gurus at Vermont SportsCar managed to yank a full 500 screaming ponies and 560 pound-feet of twist from the turbo 2.0-liter flat four under the hood, even with a 45 mm restrictor plate in place. Not too shabby. The fire-breathing mill is laced with an anti-lag system as well as launch control and bolted to a five-speed dog box transmission. The stock electronically adjustable center differential remains in place, though boasts a more advanced controller.

The X Games is debuting a new rally feature this year. Called SuperRally, the track pits four cars against one another simultaneously. Subaru is hoping the new car will help the company fend off competition in the new event. Hit the jump for the full press blast.

[Source: Subaru]

Continue reading Subaru releases 2011 rally cars at X-Games

Subaru releases 2011 rally cars at X-Games originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video: Monster truck backflip a first for the sport

Chris Shunk — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos

Click above to watch the video after the jump

If you watched the Winter Olympics over the past few weeks, you likely witnessed some amazing flips and tricks by skiers and snowboarders alike. Pretty impressive, right? We think so, but if you're a monster truck fan you might be even more awestruck by what we have post-jump.

You may remember last year when Travis Pastrana tried unsuccessfully to do a backflip in the Nitro Circus monster truck. Fast forward one year and Pastrana's buddy Cam McQueen has succeeded where the famous daredevil has failed. Hit the jump to watch video proof of McQueen's accomplishment. The video is only 18 seconds long and it's short on production skills, but it ends with a bang as the multi-ton truck nails a near perfect backflip in front of thousands of monster truck fans.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Monster truck backflip a first for the sport

Video: Monster truck backflip a first for the sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Block Rockin' Beat: 100 Acre Woods rally results

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Hatchback, Ford, Subaru, Off-Road, Racing

Ken Block wins 100 Acre Wood Rally in Ford Fiesta shown in testing above

He did it. Ken Block made it five-in-a-row at the 100 Acre Wood Rally, showing that his new Ford Fiesta is doing just as good for him as his old Subaru. Block and Alex Gelsomino were the overall winners of the Open Class in their Monster World Rally Team Ford Fiesta, but it wasn't easy for them. Block started the second leg more than a minute behind Subaru Rally Team USA's Travis Pastrana after having a bit of trouble on stage one. Although the Ford was pretty quick, Pastrana was quicker, as was Antoine L'Estage, the Rockstar Mitsubishi Evo driver who now leads the Rally America championship race with 34 points.

Pastrana was leading until he broke his left rear control arm on the Super Special Stage in Potosi. That put Block into the lead with L'Estage barreling down on him - that is until L'Estage also hit some bad luck, getting a flat on the second stage and battling low visibility conditions at a water crossing. Block charged on and never looked back, crossing the finish some 20 seconds ahead of the Evo. Privateer Bill Bacon grabbed the last step on the podium in his last-gen 2006 Mitsubishi Evo IX. Despite some difficulties this year, Bacon has at least been consistent, and finds himself in second place in the championship standings with 28 points. Dave Mirra nabbed 4th, his best finish yet in Subaru Rally Team USA's 2010 STi.

Next up for Rally America will be the Olympus Rally in Olympia, Washington on April 24-25. Full results in the official press release after the jump. Hat tip to Jason!

[Source: Rally America]

Continue reading Block Rockin' Beat: 100 Acre Woods rally results

Block Rockin' Beat: 100 Acre Woods rally results originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rally America Sno*Drift 2010: The Aftermath

Autoblog Staff — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

Rally America Sno*Drift 2010 - Click above for high-res image gallery

With the ~~dust~~ snow settling from the inaugural event of Rally America's 2010 season, four things are certain. This year's Sno*Drift will go down as one of the slickest events in the history of U.S. rally racing. It will also be remembered as one of the highest-attended Sno*Drifts in the event's 24-year history. More than a few people are questioning Ken Block's new Fiesta after it broke less than halfway through the event. And with four Sno*Drift trophies since 2006, Travis Pastrana now officially owns winter time rally racing.

Based in Atlanta, Michigan, the Sno*Drift is actually three events in one. There is of course the Sno*Drift national rally, spanning two days and 20 stages. Running simultaneously, however, is the Sno Regional on Friday, followed by - wait for it - the Drift Regional on Saturday. Thirty three cars were signed up for the whole enchilada, but factor in the regional events and the car count swelled to 55 entries. And lest you think these are all high-dollar race teams - grassroots racing doesn't get more grassroots than the likes of '80s Volkswagens, or pretty much any turbocharged Chrysler front-wheel-drive machine. Sure, it's cool to watch Evos and Subies in four-wheel power slides, blow-off valves chattering like steam locomotives. But then a bright yellow Acura Integra Type-R comes screaming around the corner, followed by a mint condition 1980 Volvo 242, and suddenly everything is right with the world.

Gallery: Rally America Sno*Drift 2010

Photos by Christopher Smith / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
Fiesta images by Mike Prouix/www.worldrallysport.com/Rally America

Continue reading Rally America Sno*Drift 2010: The Aftermath

Rally America Sno*Drift 2010: The Aftermath originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pastrana puts competition on ice at Rally America Sno*Drift

Christopher A. Smith — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:15:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Ford, Subaru

Rally America Sno*Drift 2010 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Travis Pastrana has no shortage of critics who claim the daredevil is skating on thin ice. Okay, that was a terrible segue into this year's Sno*Drift, the opening event in the Rally America Championship series, but yes, Pastrana and co-driver Christian Edstrom did skate to a fourth straight Sno*Drift victory on Saturday, trumping the second place team of Antoine L'Estage and co-driver Nathalie Richard by more than a minute. Not too bad for a guy who just had surgery for a broken collar bone. Meanwhile, William Bacon and Peter Watt finished third overall as the highest-placing privateers. Ken Block, sporting his trademark goatee and a new Ford Fiesta rally car, retired after just seven stages due to suspension failure.

Organized around the snowy gravel roads of Northern Lower Michigan, Sno*Drift 2010 wasn't so much with the snow thanks to a warm spell and thorough soaking of rain, followed by a quick dip into sub-zero temperatures-all within a week of race day. Roads turned into rivers of glare ice, and since studded tires aren't allowed in the series, automotive hilarity reminiscent of Snoopy on Ice was the order of the day. Just ask Pastrana's team mate Dave Mirra, who crossed the final mark literally dragging his Subie's front bumper and headlights thanks to a late-stage disagreement between himself, Sir Issac Newton, and a tree.

More to come on Pastrana, Block, and Rally America; in the meantime spy the Rally America gallery while we search Wikipedia for frost bite remedies and tips on removing champagne from blue jeans.

Gallery: Rally America SnoDrift 2010

Pastrana puts competition on ice at Rally America Sno*Drift originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video: Red Bull offers behind-the-scenes look at Travis Pastrana's New Year's Eve jump

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos

Travis Pastrana practices ahead of the big jump - Click above to watch the video after the break

"Hey, I think that'll buff out." So says Travis Pastrana, a surprisingly cool customer shortly after misjudging the speed required to clear a giant gap in his Subaru WRX STI rally car. Of course, if you're going to engage in such shenanigans in the first place, you'd better be prepared to deal with the consequences, right?

You probably remember the record-setting New Years Day jump off of a boat-mounted ramp, over 250-or-so feet of water, and onto another ramp floating on a barge. Well, as we had previously seen, Pastrana had plenty of practice before the main event, and Red Bull has kindly put together some behind-the-scenes footage showing exactly what goes into producing such a mind-boggling stung.

Motorcycles. Rally Cars. And Craziness. Absolute craziness. You know you want to watch, so click here to see the video for yourself after the break.

[Source: Red Bull]

Continue reading Video: Red Bull offers behind-the-scenes look at Travis Pastrana's New Year's Eve jump

Video: Red Bull offers behind-the-scenes look at Travis Pastrana's New Year's Eve jump originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video: Travis Pastrana New Year's jump... does he make it?

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 12:10:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos

Travis Pastrana's New Year's Eve jump - Click above to watch video

Travis Pastrana spent New Year's Eve preparing to drive his Red Bull Subaru WRX STI off of a boat-mounted ramp, over 250-or-so feet of water, and onto another ramp floating on a barge. In earlier practices for the jump, at first he didn't stick the landing, then he skipped the landing part entirely. The New Year's event would be for keeps, though.

Follow the jump to watch the jump and see how it ended. Hat tip to Jon C!

[Source: ESPN via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Travis Pastrana New Year's jump... does he make it?

Video: Travis Pastrana New Year's jump... does he make it? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jan 2010 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: Travis Pastrana's New Year's Jump. Take two

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos

Travis Pastrana's New Year's Jump Practice - Click above to watch the video after the break

Has your inner stunt driver ever wondered what it would be like to fling a ridiculously overpowered rally car off a ramp and onto a waiting platform some 250 feet away? Don't have enough Red Bull running through your veins to actually attempt such a stunt yourself? Well, we have good news for you.

Travis Pastrana is just the type to try it out in your stead, and the helpful folks from the aforementioned Austrian energy drink company have mounted a camera to the car's bumper during practice so you can see exactly what the scene looks like from behind the wheel. As with the last video, this is just a teaser to whet our appetites before the real jump (over water and onto a barge, no less) takes place on New Year's Day, meaning that the actual landing is left up to your imagination... for now. Click past the break to see it unfold.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Travis Pastrana's New Year's Jump. Take two

VIDEO: Travis Pastrana's New Year's Jump. Take two originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Dec 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: New spots from Ken Block prove he's got more skills, better drugs

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Videos

Click above to have your mind blown after the jump

The Ken Block/DC Shoes marketing machine shows no signs of slowing as we drift bass-ackwards into 2010, and to close out the year, Block and his crew have released four new videos to delight, amaze and discombobulate.

Although the Gymkahana Two Director's Cut and Block vs. Pastrana: Game of Suck Highlights vids are an entertaining diversion before the holidays, it's the Gymkhana Two Artist Remix that's set to challenge Major Lazer's Pon de Floor (look it up) for the most mind-warping, psychedelic-addled clip of 2009. The less said, the better, so jump first and ask questions later. Tip of the D/C-branded baseball cap to Scotto for the tip.

Continue reading VIDEO: New spots from Ken Block prove he's got more skills, better drugs

VIDEO: New spots from Ken Block prove he's got more skills, better drugs originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: Pastrana practice for record New Year's Eve jump goes awry

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos

Travis Pastrana's practice jump - Click above to watch the video after the break

This is what we mean when we say Travis Pastrana is insane. Generally, whenever the world sees a ridiculous freestyle dirtbike or automobile trick, it goes off without a hitch. It almost seems like a foregone conclusion that the rider is going to execute a perfect jump or flip, wave to the cameras and hug his significant others. There's a reason for that...

That reason? In a word: Practice. Yes, just like your first grade teacher drilled into you decades ago, practice makes perfect. Usually. As you'll see in the video after the break, practice sessions are just as dangerous and death-defying as the actual stunts themselves. In fact, sometimes even more so.

For this particular feat of craziness, Pastrana is actually planning to jump off a ramp at the end of a pier over 250 feet of water to a waiting barge as part of a New Year's celebration. Assuming practice sessions indicate that it's possible... which, well, just hit the jump to watch the video.

[Source: YouTube via Auto-Focus.us]

Continue reading VIDEO: Pastrana practice for record New Year's Eve jump goes awry

VIDEO: Pastrana practice for record New Year's Eve jump goes awry originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

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

Noah Joseph — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, China

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

VIDEO: Travis Pastrana does tricks on DC Shoe Bike

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Motorcycle

Travis Pastrana's DC Shoe Bike - Click above to watch the video after the break

When we first stumbled upon this video from the fertile minds at DC Shoes - think Travis Pastrana and Ken Block - we asked ourselves the only logical question we could muster: What the heck is a Shoe Bike? Turns out that it's exactly what you'd expect - that is, if you'd ever expect such a thing to exist at all, but we digress. Travis Pastrana's Shoe Bike is a motocross machine that's had its wheels replaced with rolling hoops made from DC Shoes.

As you might expect, Pastrana has some crazy things in mind for the Shoe Bike... not the least of which are plenty of insane jumps many riders would never attempt even with standard rolling stock, sustained wheelies and burnouts. Right, with shoes instead of tires. Backflips? Sure, why not. This is Travis Pastrana after all. See for yourself in the video pasted after the break.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Travis Pastrana does tricks on DC Shoe Bike

VIDEO: Travis Pastrana does tricks on DC Shoe Bike originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

2009 Race of Champions heads to Beijing

Noah Joseph — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, China, Celebrities

2008 Race of Champions at Wembley Stadium - Click above for high-res image gallery

Most of this year's major motorsport series are winding to a close. Champions are being crowned. Teams are preparing for next year. You know what that means: it's time for the Race of Champions.

The international event has been held for the past twenty years, and it always offers a real spectacle as some of the world's best drivers compete for top honors. And this year figures to be no different. Held for the first time outside of Europe at the Bird's Nest Olympic stadium in Beijing, the 2009 Race of Champions is set to take place next week, packed with an all-star roster.

Among those taking part this year will be newly-crowned Formula One World Champion Jenson Button, seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher, recently retired F1 stalwart David Coulthard and rising star Sebastian Vettel. Although six-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb - who won the RoC last year and twice before that - has apparently opted to sit this one out, perennial runner-up Mikko Hirvonen will be competing, along with Audi's multiple Le Mans winners Tom Kristensen and Emanuele Pirro; touring car champions Andy Priaulx, Mattias Ekstrom, Jamie Whincup and Yvan Muller; Dakar winner Giniel deVilliers, Monegasque single-seat racer Clivio Piccione and Australian bike racer Mick Doohan. And finally, these United States will be represented by two of our very finest showmen, Travis Pastrana and Tanner Foust.

This year, the champions will be competing for bragging rights behind the wheels of such varied machinery as the Ford Focus WRC, Volkswagen Scirocco, KTM X-Bow, Solution F Prototype Opel touring car and three different specially-equipped sprint cars. Tune in on Tuesday, November 3 - just two days after the 2009 Formula One World Championship wraps up in Abu Dhabi - for the results.

Gallery: 2008 Race of Champions

[Source: Race of Champions | Image: Mark Thompson/Getty]

2009 Race of Champions heads to Beijing originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tanner Foust headed back to the 2009 Race of Champions, now at Beijing's Bird's Nest

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Celebrities

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