Autoblog

Why you should never let a family member drive your Ariel Atom

George Kennedy — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Convertible, Safety, Videos, Racing

Any time you have to hand off the keys to a valued car, it can be a little nerve racking - and with some justification. Just check out this video, which serves as a cautionary tale of sorts. According to its YouTube description, the user, named ShakenBakeRacin, lent his Ariel Atom to his brother and recorded video of him driving the lightweight racer on the north course at VIR - Virginia International Raceway. What was probably not expected was what ensues in the video.

The driver is hot on the heels of another Atom when a combined crest-and-curve results in loss of control (okay, in addition to the car getting light, it looks like our driver may have forgotten his track map). The Ariel unceremoniously exits the racing surface. That alone would have been enough justification for the owner to ask for his keys back, but things don't end there. The scant curb weight of the Atom combined with track-minded tires proves a dangerous combination when skating across the grass infield. Considering the wide-open expanses of green space where the Atom could have slowed to a less-dramatic stop, the results feel doubly unfortunate.

At the end of the wild ride, is it just us, or does it seem like the frustrated Atom just about spits in frustration? "Ptooey!" Okay, maybe it's just us. Watch the video below and judge for yourself.

Continue reading Why you should never let a family member drive your Ariel Atom

Why you should never let a family member drive your Ariel Atom originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch Chevy's Camaro 1LE lap VIR in 2:58:34

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet

There are two draws in the pony-car competition bracket: brawn-über-alles pits the 580-horsepower Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 against the 650-hp Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, while the track-day killers set the 426-hp Camaro 1LE against the 444-hp Mustang Boss 302. And all of them are eventually tested in anger at Virginia International Raceway, which could one day become our own Nürburgring based on the cars that have set times there.

Answering that challenge, the Camaro 1LE has just come from posting a 2:58.34 around VIR. According to the list at FastestLaps.com, that puts the Camaro 1LE exactly midway between the 2005 lap time of a Chevrolet Corvette Z06 at 2:58.20 and the 550-horsepower 2011 GT500 which did 2:58.48. For better comparison, the 1LE is 6.1 seconds behind the Camaro ZL1, 4.46 seconds ahead of the Boss 302 Laguna Seca, and within two seconds of serious handlers like the Porsche 911 Turbo S, Ariel Atom 3 and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, all run in the last two years (although we don't know who the Porsche and Mercedes drivers were). FastestLaps lists a time of 2:58.00 for a "659-hp" GT500, but the year tested is "0" and we aren't sure what the story is there.

Not a bad day's work for the $37,035 Camaro, which starts at a price nearly $13,000 less than the Boss 302 Laguna Seca. Don't take our word for it, check out the whole lap below.

Continue reading Watch Chevy's Camaro 1LE lap VIR in 2:58:34

Watch Chevy's Camaro 1LE lap VIR in 2:58:34 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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39 seconds of Viper GTS-R testing at VIR. That is all.

John Neff — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Chrysler, Dodge, Racing

The Viper GTS-R continues its march to a motorsports debut later this year in the GT class of the American Le Mans Series. Following its surprise debut alongside the new production SRT Viper at the 2012 New York Auto Show, the GTS-R underwent its first on-track test at Carolina Motorsports Park earlier this month. This time, however, the SRT crew took the GTS-R to Virginia International Raceway, an important track because it's actually on the ALMS schedule.

In fact, while we don't know the exact race at which the GTS-R will makes its competitive debut, we have been told it will race before the end of the 2012 season. The race at VIR occurs on September 15 and is the second-to-last race of the season, so the SRT Motorsports team could be getting some precious practice time in on the track at which they intend to unleash the new Viper GTS-R. All we know is that we're glad they brought their Go Pros along.

See the video yourself below.

Continue reading 39 seconds of Viper GTS-R testing at VIR. That is all.

39 seconds of Viper GTS-R testing at VIR. That is all. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sibling Rivalry: Chevrolet takes Corvette ZR1 and Camaro ZL1 to VIR, sets a lap record

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet, GM

While the Dodge Viper is in the midst of a much-too-long (and thankfully soon-to-be-rectified) hiatus, there's really no question as to who holds the title of Baddest American Sports Car: The Chevrolet Corvette. And the top-of-the-line in Corvette Land is, of course, the 638-horsepower supercharged ZR1.

Not that the 'Vette is the only way domestic car lovers can fan their inner flames of performance. Nipping at the Corvette's super wide and sticky heels are such classic nameplates as the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger... not to mention, from within its own stomping grounds no less, the Chevrolet Camaro.

Perhaps in a bid to cement its internal pecking order, the boys from Chevy took one Corvette ZR1 and one Camaro ZL1 to Virginia International Raceway for some sordid fun and hot laps. Wondering just how close the Camaro is to the top-rung Corvette, which the automaker says set the fastest published lap for a stock car in VIR's history? Satiate your curiosity by watching the two videos after the jump.

Continue reading Sibling Rivalry: Chevrolet takes Corvette ZR1 and Camaro ZL1 to VIR, sets a lap record

Sibling Rivalry: Chevrolet takes Corvette ZR1 and Camaro ZL1 to VIR, sets a lap record originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ariel Atom one-make series coming to America?

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, MISC, Racing

2010 Ariel Atom 3 - Click above for high-res image gallery

A one-make, or spec-series race, is an exciting contest that really proves who's got what it takes behind the wheel. The Ariel Atom is an exciting vehicle that allows a driver to explore the purest expression of driving nirvana. If you are a fan of either, then 2011 should be a very good year for you. Ariel is working with Virgina International Raceway to create the world's first Atom racing series and it will be known as Spec Racer Atom (SRA).

The 10-race series will take place over the course of five weekends (similar to how Dodge handled its Viper Cup). There will be four 25-minute sessions for practice and qualifying followed by a 20-minute race. During the course of the series, the configuration at VIR will be set up four different ways.

The SRA Atoms are currently being built specifically for the series and first deliveries are expected to occur in April of next year. If you act quickly, you can be one of the first 10 to buy an SRA Atom and be considered a Founding Member of the series.

In addition to the racing, TMI Auto Tech (the company responsible for bringing the Ariel Atom to the states) will be offering Ariel Atom Experience events that allow you to get behind the wheel of an Atom 3. Currently, TMI is only going to offer this program at VIR but it sounds like it wants to expand to other venues as well. Thanks for the tip, Eric!

Gallery: Quick Spin: Ariel Atom 3

Photos Copyright (C)2010 by Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL

[Source: AtomClub.com]

Ariel Atom one-make series coming to America? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 is a heart-starting jolt

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 27 May 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Ford, First Drives

2011 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 is so good we don't even want to associate the word "Mustang" with it anymore. Not that there's anything wrong with the Mustang - particularly the revised 2011 model. But as a sports car, the word "Mustang" conjures images of something much less than refined. If a Porsche is a scalpel, a 'roided up 'Stang is the Jaws of Life: it'll get the job done, but it ain't gonna be pretty.

However, if a Mustang is a mauling maw, the Shelby GT500 is a defibrillator. Perhaps not pinpoint precise, but it hides a sting, a little bit of burn and you can put it right where you want. And once you're there, you can use it to deliver a glorious shock to the system. Follow the jump to find out why.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Ford Shelby GT500

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 is a heart-starting jolt

First Drive: 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 is a heart-starting jolt originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 May 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 2011 Ford GT500 spanks last year's model by nine seconds at VIR

Zach Bowman — Tue, 18 May 2010 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ford

2011 Ford Mustang GT500 at VIR - Click above to watch video after the jump

We know firsthand that both the 2011 Ford Mustang V6 and GT aren't just plenty quick - they're downright scary fast compared to their predecessors. It should follow, that the king of the heap 2011 GT500 should be similarly faster than the 2010 model. Let's just go ahead and call that one an understatement. Ford just dropped a tasty video on the interwebs showing the car lapping one of our favorite tracks - Virginia International Speedway.

Ford's engineers had it in their minds that the new aluminum block with its 120-pound weight savings should help the car click off the 4.1-mile Grand West portion of the track about three seconds quicker than the outgoing car. Thing is, the 2011 GT500 managed to lap the track in 2:58.5 - a full nine seconds faster than last year's version.

Progress is most definitely a good thing. Hit the jump to see the car do the dance.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 at Chicago Auto Show

Gallery: 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 w/ SVT Performance Package

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Video: 2011 Ford GT500 spanks last year's model by nine seconds at VIR

Video: 2011 Ford GT500 spanks last year's model by nine seconds at VIR originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 May 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hurst debuts Ford Racing Mustang Challenge pace car at VIR

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Ford, Specialty

2010 Hurst Ford Mustang Pace Car - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford and Hurst have a long and illustrious history of working together to create special edition Mustangs, and the latest fruits of their labor can be seen in our high-res image gallery below. The 2010 Hurst Mustang Pace Car will make its first official appearance during the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge race that will be held at Virginia International Raceway on April 25, 2010.

There will only be one 2010 Hurst Mustang Pace Car, and it will make appearances at the Hot Rod Power Tour, a slew of Larry H. Miller dealerships and finally at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas before being auctioned off next January. Proceeds from the car's sale will benefit the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer. A hot Mustang convertible for a worthy cause... what's not to like?

Though you won't be able to march into your local Ford dealership and drive off in a new Hurst 'Stang, you will be able to get "promotional items" inspired by the car... including 'skins' for pinewood derby racers. Sadly, the miniature version won't be sporting the full-size car's polished 20-inch wheels, Hurst shifter or 550-horsepower supercharged V8 engine. What they will have in common, though, is the iconic black and gold Hurst color scheme. See below for images and click past the break for the press release.

Gallery: 2010 Hurst Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Pace Car

[Source: Hurst Performance Vehicles]

Continue reading Hurst debuts Ford Racing Mustang Challenge pace car at VIR

Hurst debuts Ford Racing Mustang Challenge pace car at VIR originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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