Autoblog

Audi R8 LMS claims second victory in SCCA World Challenge series

Michael Harley — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:45:00 EST

After starting on the pole but falling behind mid-race, James Sofronas earned back the lead position to take victory at the Pirelli World Challenge event held at the Long Beach Grand Prix this past weekend. Driving the No. 14 GMG/Mobil 1 Audi R8 LMS, Sofronas was near the front of the pack when the No. 9 K-PAX Racing Volvo S60, driven by Alex Figge, suffered a brake rotor failure near the end of the race and went into a wall. The No. 3 Cadillac Racing Cadillac CTS-V.R, piloted by Johnny O'Connell, jumped into the lead. O'Connell only needed to complete two laps under caution for the win.

Yet the Cadillac would never complete those laps, as a three-inch piece of debris (presumably from Figge's car) had lodged into the CTS-V.R's front end, taking out vital machinery. The fatal wound would stop O'Connell dead on the last lap, allowing Sofronas to take the checkered flag and earn top spot on the podium. It was the R8's second victory in the series and Sofronas' second career win at Long Beach.

It is of interest to note that James Sofronas is credited with bringing the R8 LMS to the States to compete in the World Challenge after watching its success overseas. The southern California resident is owner/driver for Global Motorsports Group (GMG) - we took a tour of GMS's facility last year and shot the carbon-bodied Audi R8 LMS under early development. The team brought a total of four R8's to Long Beach this year, with its No. 14 car finishing first.

Audi R8 LMS claims second victory in SCCA World Challenge series originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch Honda transform a stock Civic Si into a race car

George Kennedy — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 09:15:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Honda

Chief designer for Sunbeam, Louis Coatalen was once quoted as saying "Racing improves the breed." With Formula One racers that look like nothing on the open road, and NASCAR, whose cars only LOOK like what you can get in a dealership, its hard for the average Joe to see why motorsport is relevant to their daily lives.

Production-based racing is where you can truly find that connection of road car and race car, Cars that wish to enter in these types of race series must start life as a model that you can find at your local dealer. The folks at Compass 360 Racing have chronicled what it takes to turn your daily driver into a race winner, and according to the description, "it's easier than you think."

The team starts out with a 2012 Honda Civic Si and takes the necessary steps to ready it for race series like the Grand Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. The first move for racing mechanic Steve Stantidakis and the rest of the team is to gut the car almost entirely, removing interior panels, seats, accessories and the engine. The spread of parts along the shop floor in the video is quite remarkable.

Next, they separate parts that will return to the compact racer from the items that will be discarded. Once stripped down, a roll cage is installed, the car is painted, and necessary parts will be reinstalled.

A version of the Si's 2.4-liter VTEC four-cylinder tuned by Honda Performance Development engine is next to go in. According to HPD Senior Engineer Lee Niffenegger, the four-pot achieves roughly 25 percent more power than the standard Si engine through improved intake and exhaust flow, among other things.

And why go through all this trouble to convert a bone-stock coupe into a performance machine? Says Niffenegger, "The reason Honda races is to push our cars to the limit. You can only learn so much through what you do on the street."

Scroll down to see it all come together.

Continue reading Watch Honda transform a stock Civic Si into a race car

Watch Honda transform a stock Civic Si into a race car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jul 2012 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia teammates ruin 1-2 finish in Pirelli World Challenge race

Drew Phillips — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Kia

Kia had a bright start to the 2012 Pirelli World Challenge season, capturing its first podium in the series earlier this month with a solid third place finish at the Streets of Long Beach. It looked like Kia was going to build on that momentum this past weekend when its two Optima race cars found themselves in a 1-2 position with just a few laps left in the race. Would Kia capture their first World Challenge win in spectacular fashion? Well, the result was spectacular, but not in the way Kia would have preferred.

With just one lap to go, the two Kia teammates had developed a comfortable cushion between themselves and the rest of the GTS class field, and it seemed they would cruise home to a 1-2 finish. Apparently Colin Braun, driver of the No. 38 Kia, wasn't about to let his teammate, Michael Galati, take the win that easily and made several bold attempts to pass with just a few turns to go. In the last corner of the last lap, Braun pushed too far and smacked into the rear fender of Galati, spinning him off track in the process.

The third place Acura of Peter Cunningham was collateral damage, leaving a pleasantly surprised Andy Lee to burst through the wreckage and take the checkered flag in his Chevrolet Camaro. Braun managed to finish second while his teammate Galati got back on track fast enough to finish in fourth. In a fitting twist of irony, the crash was reportedly named the Kia Turning Point of the Race.

You can watch the race footage over at www.world-challengetv.com. In case you don't want to sit through all 65+ minutes of footage (although it's an entertaining race), fast forward to the 56:30 mark to watch the final lap carnage. You can also read all about the race in the official results below.

Continue reading Kia teammates ruin 1-2 finish in Pirelli World Challenge race

Kia teammates ruin 1-2 finish in Pirelli World Challenge race originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Racing gives Focus ST-R race car tour

Zach Bowman — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Racing

Ford has finally given us a complete walk around video of the company's ready-to-order Ford Focus ST-R racer. The vehicle is available through the Ford Racing catalog and features all the tricks you'll need to compete in series like the Grand-Am ST class or the SCCA World Challenge TC. The racecar makes use of the same production EcoBoost 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission found in the production model, though the engine has been calibrated to suck down race fuel for a little more power.

As Ford Racing's Andy Vrenko shows us, larger brakes and a set of three-way adjustable coilovers are part of the suspension package, and indoors, the Ford Focus ST-R comes equipped with an FIA-spec roll cage, Recaro race seat and AEM data logger. The machine looks like a great way to have a lot of fun on track. Expect to shell out $98,995 for the pleasure of ownership, however. If that seems steep, we encourage you to build a similar machine for less. Hit the jump to check out the video.

Continue reading Ford Racing gives Focus ST-R race car tour

Ford Racing gives Focus ST-R race car tour originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mini to offer B-Spec Cooper for budding racers

Noah Joseph — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hatchback, Mini, Racing

It may have taken them a while to get around to it, but after reviving the Mini marque in 1994, BMW hasn't forgotten the original's rich racing heritage. It's what's taken them into the World Rally Championship, and is now leading to a B-Spec racer available right here in the United States.

Created out of a partnership between Mini USA and its dealer in Charleston, South Carolina, the Mini Cooper racer can be made out of any existing hardtop hatchback made between 2007 and 2012. It packs all the safety equipment necessary for competition duty - including a full roll cage, window net, racing bucket and harness - plus upgraded brakes, suspension and rolling stock, but is otherwise pretty much showroom stock. And that's the point behind B-Spec categories sanctioned by such bodies as the SCCA, Grand Am and World Challenge.

Check out the details in the press release after the jump and the pair of high-res images for a closer look.

Continue reading Mini to offer B-Spec Cooper for budding racers

Mini to offer B-Spec Cooper for budding racers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pair of Kia Optima Turbos will compete in World Challenge against Mustangs and Camaros

Zach Bowman — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Motorsports, Sedan, Kia, Racing

The Kia Optima is headed to the World Challenge next year. Kia has announced that it will once again partner up with Kinetic Motorsports, this time to build a pair of Optima SX models to go fender to fender with the rest of the World Challenge field. The two turbocharged sedans will compete in the Grand Touring Sport Class against vehicles like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, if you can believe that.

If you're thinking those two are going to make short work of the Optima, you may want to think again. Kia has already managed to earn a driver and team championship in the two years that it's been racing the Forte in the States, and the company recently announced the Rio 5-Door would be competing, as well. These guys aren't just out there to parade their badge around the track.

The World Challenge series pits great drivers against each other in race-prepped versions of production vehicles on some of the country's best road courses. The series campaigns at Infineon, Road Atlanta and the street circuit at Long Beach. Look for the races to show up on the NBC Sports Network this year. Hit the jump for the full press release from Kia.

Continue reading Pair of Kia Optima Turbos will compete in World Challenge against Mustangs and Camaros

Pair of Kia Optima Turbos will compete in World Challenge against Mustangs and Camaros originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac CTS-V Coupe collects first victory at Mid-Ohio [w/video]

John Neff — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 19:27:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Cadillac

Cadillac Racing hadn't won a race since the finale of the 2007 World Challenge season when Andy Pilgrim took the checkered flag at Laguna Seca driving the team's previous-generation Cadillac CTS-V sedan. This past weekend, the Wreath and Crest's factory team finally won again since returning to the sport this season after a three-year absence, but this time at Mid-Ohio with Andy's teammate, Johnny O'Connell, behind the wheel of the team's new CTS-V Coupe.

We happened to be at Mid-Ohio for race one of this past weekend's World Challenge double header in which O'Connell was running second and could've easily won had his car not spun off the track after contact with another GT Class Corvette. We just happened to catch the CTS-V Coupe's off-track excursion, including how O'Connell passed the Corvette that contacted him after returning to pavement (check out the video after the break).

O'Connell finished eighth that race, but had an opportunity for redemption in race two of the double-header on Sunday. Things went Cadillac's way this time when, after working his way up from seventh to third, O'Connell took advantage of last-lap contact between the two race leaders to take the win.

Cadillac Racing hasn't had the same level of success yet that seemed to come so much easier with the previous generation CTS-V sedan. We've discussed at length why, which has more to do with added weight and restrictor plates mandated by the governing body than the racing abilities of Pilgrim and O'Connell or the vehicle's ultimate potential. Now that the team has tasted success again, it probably won't be as long between victories.

Continue reading Cadillac CTS-V Coupe collects first victory at Mid-Ohio [w/video]

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe collects first victory at Mid-Ohio [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SCCA World Challenge Grand Prix of St. Petersburg live stream

Aaron Richardson — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 12:38:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Cadillac, Racing

The SCCA World Challenge series is some seriously exciting stuff that doesn't get nearly enough television exposure. With actual street cars duking it out on tight courses, it's door-to-door racing at its finest.

Catching the races live on TV can be impossible, particularly on basic cable. To stem that problem, World Challenge TV streams each race live on its website. Today's race starts at 4:20 PM EDT, and will be available for live viewing at WorldChallengeTV.com.

There's a 49-car field vying for the top spot, including two factory-backed Cadillac CTS-V Coupes.

[Source: WorldChallengeTV]

SCCA World Challenge Grand Prix of St. Petersburg live stream originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Mar 2011 12:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Volvo S60R returns to World Challenge with K-Pax Racing

Noah Joseph — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Volvo, Racing

Over the past few years, the Volvo S60 has achieved considerable success in touring car racing around the world. The factory-supported Polestar team took the title in the Swedish Touring Car Championship a few years back before switching to the C30, and K-Pax Racing took the Manufacturers' and Drivers' trophies in the World Challenge GT Championship with the car last year.

Thing is, the touring car taking the honors is still wearing the bodywork of the old Volvo S60, so it was only a matter of time before its successor would be revealed. And here it is.

Although K-Pax will still use the old S60R in the first few rounds of the 2011 World Challenge, the new all-wheel-drive racer will be rolled out for the fourth round at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, in late April.

[Source: K-Pax Racing via CarScoop]

2011 Volvo S60R returns to World Challenge with K-Pax Racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Long Beach Grand Prix 2010: Records broken in World Challenge [Spoilers]

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

2010 Toyo Tires World Challenge at Long Beach - Click above for high-res image gallery

The final race of the weekend-long Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach was the 2010 Toyo Tires World Challenge event, held at dusk on this downtown/oceanside street course as the crowds streamed out following Ryan Hunter-Reay's IndyCar victory. The track had picked up a lot of rubber during the week, with Indy Lights, ALMS, IndyCar and Drifting demos going on along with the SCCA Pro action. The skies were clear but the track was cooling as the cars lined up for round three of the championship.

The race was the third on the WC schedule following a double-header in St. Petersburg. That set of races had seen Peter Cunningham and Todd Buras sweep in GTS and Touring Class respectively, while GT crowned two winners. Randy Pobst had won from pole position on Saturday, besting teammate Andy Pilgrim to the checkers. On Sunday, it was second-place qualifier, Dino Crescentini who took the win, having dropped out of the first race due to electrical problems.

Long Beach is something of a home-track for several of the racers and everyone seemed pumped to do good in front of their family and friends. Last but not least, by Sunday afternoon it was time to run the final race on the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach card. Follow the jump to see how the race went down and be sure to check out our gallery of pics below.

Gallery: 2010 Toyo Tires World Challenge at Long Beach

Continue reading Long Beach Grand Prix 2010: Records broken in World Challenge [Spoilers]

Long Beach Grand Prix 2010: Records broken in World Challenge [Spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Patrick Dempsey to race at Long Beach... but not in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Mazda, Celebrities, Event Alert, Racing

Actor Patrick Dempsey is no stranger to racetracks, nor to the pages of Autoblog. We've run into the Gray's Anatomy star at various races and automotive events over the past few years, most recently piloting a '90s Mazda RX-792 LeMans racer in the Historics at Laguna Seca. We've even seen him run at Long Beach, although that was in their annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity race that usually features as many crashes and spins as a roller-derby match.

This year, Dempsey is set to return to the streets of Long Beach, but not in a Scion tC, nor even his usual ride, the Mazda RX-8 he runs in the Rolex Grand-Am GT series. No, Patrick will instead be driving the wheels off a 2010 Mazda3 prepared by Tri-Point Motorsports for the World Challenge race during the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend. So what was it like going from a push-me to a pull-me? Dempsey says he was impressed with the Mazda3, the first front-driver he's ever raced, though not surprised, as his daily driver is a Mazdaspeed3.

We'll be sure to keep an eye out for him when we head to Long Beach in a couple of weeks to cover the racing activities, which will include IndyCar, World Challenge and ALMS action. There's a longer press release from Mazda after the jump, with more details about the weekend of racing from Long Beach.

[Source: Mazda]

Continue reading Patrick Dempsey to race at Long Beach... but not in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race

Patrick Dempsey to race at Long Beach... but not in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World Challenge: Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg [Spoiler Alert]

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Acura, Chevrolet, Dodge, Porsche, Volkswagen, Volvo, Racing

Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg

The SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge lost Speed as a title sponsor for 2010, but they've picked up a new class of racing and a new schedule that features four double-header events with back-to-back racing on Saturdays and Sundays. 2010 will also see GT, GTS and Touring Car classes in mixed on-track action for the first time since 1999.

This weekend was the first (and second) race of the season, the Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg, run on the streets of St. Pete's. While the top-billed IndyCars have had their race postponed until later today because of torrential rains, the WC boys and girls were able to squeeze two action-packed events into the weekend.

Follow the jump to see how rounds one and two of the 2010 World Challenge championship went down.

[Source: SCCA World Challenge | Images: SCCA Pro Racing, Inc.]

Continue reading World Challenge: Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg [Spoiler Alert]

World Challenge: Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg [Spoiler Alert] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: Mazda introduces us to a happy couple, inspires 3-some

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, SEMA Show, Sedan, Performance, Hatchback, Mazda

Customized 40th Anniversary 2010 Mazdaspeed3 - Click above for high-res image gallery

For SEMA 2009, Mazda introduced us to a pair of the happiest Mazda3 derivatives we've ever seen. Part Le Mans-winning 787B tribute, part rolling showcase (for their Mazda accessories catalog) and part 40th anniversary present to itself, this couple with their odd, knowing smiles was pretty easy on the eyes.

Built by Mazda R&D employees to show off the wide range of accessories available for the 2010 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3, these tuner cars also serve as tributes to Mazda's motorsports prowess and to 40 years of Mazda sales in the U.S. The cars are painted in a Crystal White Pearl with gray graphics that mimics the Mazda3 World Challenge race car, which itself apes the look of the Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B from 1991. There are also plenty of other changes in the mix to make these special 3s go like they show.

Both cars get forged aluminum 19x8-inch wheels with 225/40 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires stripped off the RX-8 R3, and KW coil-overs to button things down a bit, but that's about where the similarities end. The 2.5-liter engine in the Mazda3 sedan gets a thorough makeover by World Challenge-contending Tri-Point Engineering. With their Garrett GT2871R ball bearing turbo kit adding 10 psi of boost, the 2.5-liter MZR engine is now making more than 250 HP at the wheels.

The Mazdaspeed3 was already turbocharged but an AEM cold-air intake was added to increase its output by about 20 HP. Like the special Mazda3, this car gets KW coil-overs and the RX-8 R3 wheel/tire combo, but whereas the 3 got brakes from the Speed3 and Mazda5, this car gets four-piston StopTech calipers and floating two-piece rotors that are nearly identical to the ones used on the World Challenge car. We really like this sexy duo from Mazda and think we now know why they're smiling.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: 40th Anniversary Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 customs

Continue reading SEMA 2009: Mazda introduces us to a happy couple, inspires 3-some

SEMA 2009: Mazda introduces us to a happy couple, inspires 3-some originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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