Autoblog

Paris Preview: Citroën teases DS3 WRC car (w/video)

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 17:04:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Paris Motor Show, Citroën, Racing

Citroën DS3 WRC teaser - Click above to watch video after the jump

Citroën's DS3 WRC entrant, the car they've chosen to adapt to the new regulations, will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show next week. Among the deluge of pics and videos teasing all manner of creations we'll be seeing on the French floor, the Gallic firm has strung together a few shadowy snippets of the hot hatch that Sébastien Loeb will pilot next year (according to him, his final year) in his attempt to win yet another title. He'll have to beat the new Mini Countryman WRC along the way. Follow the jump to be teased. Hat tip to Dan

[Source: YouTube via WRC.com]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Citroën teases DS3 WRC car (w/video)

Paris Preview: Citroën teases DS3 WRC car (w/video) originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Sep 2010 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Straight to the Finnish line: Kimi Raikkonen wins his first rally

Noah Joseph — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 17:06:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Citroën

Okay, so it wasn't a championship-level international stage, but just the same, Kimi Raikkonen has won his first rally. The event in question, called Rallye Vosgien, forms part of the French national series, and was contested by Kimi's Citroën Junior Team as practice ahead of the WRC Rally of France.

The former F1 world champion and his co-pilot, Kaj Lindstrom, took their Citroën C4 to the finish line over three minutes ahead of the nearest competitor, Quentin Gilbert, driving a Renault Clio Maxi. Given the similar conditions - and that Citroën Junior Team had used up all its allotted test time - Vosgien proved an ideal warm-up to the main event set to take place at the end of the month.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Nikolay Doychinov/AFP/Getty]

Straight to the Finnish line: Kimi Raikkonen wins his first rally originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Sep 2010 17:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michelin picks up the slack with World Rally Championship contract

Noah Joseph — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

You can't win 'em all, but you can win some. So while Pirelli may have beaten Michelin to the punch for the F1 tire supply contract, hesitation to find itself spread too thin led to its subsequently dropping out of the World Rally Championship. Well it looks like Pirelli's gain and subsequent loss will be Michelin's gain as well, as the French rubber company has announced it will be picking up (at least some of) Pirelli's slack on the rally scene.

Rather than continue with an exclusive contract (as F1 has), the WRC is slated to switch to a multi-supplier framework, opening up the series to numerous tire manufacturers to participate. And Michelin, it seems, will be the first, aligning itself with the FIA's mandate to reduce the amount of rubber burnt in each stage and thereby reduce its environmental impact.

Michelin's return to the World Rally Championship will start with next season, and marks the first time the French tire manufacturer has participated in the top-flight rally series since 2005. Rather than participating under its BFGoodrich brand as it does in the rival Intercontinental Rally Challenge, Michelin's renewed WRC program will be fielded under its own name. Official announcement in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Michelin]

Continue reading Michelin picks up the slack with World Rally Championship contract

Michelin picks up the slack with World Rally Championship contract originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video(s): Mini Countryman WRC gets wrung out

Zach Bowman — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Videos, Hatchback, Mini, Racing

2011 Mini Countryman WRC - Click above to watch video after the jump

If it looks like a WRC racer, sounds like a WRC racer and moves like a WRC racer, chances are it will be able to handle itself against the rest of the pros on the global rally stage. We've already gotten a few quick glimpses of the Mini Countryman WRC thanks to a handful of still photos from the beater's development at the Prodrive studios, but so far, we haven't been able to see the car in action. Consider that problem taken care of.

A few videos have cropped up on the YouTubes showing the car being put through its paces over some pretty grueling gravel stages in Portugal. From what we can see, the racer is plenty quick, if not a bit unsorted. We're guessing that the mechanical wizards at Prodrive will have the car fit for duty well before it knocks skulls with the rest of the heathens in the WRC.

Now the only real question is whether or not Mini is going to offer some variant of the go-fast pieces found on the WRC bruiser to the masses. We're thinking we could rock a Countryman with a lower stance, meaner turbo and physics-bending brakes. Hit the jump to take a look at a few of the videos yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video(s): Mini Countryman WRC gets wrung out

Video(s): Mini Countryman WRC gets wrung out originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pirelli reportedly withdraws from World Rally Championship

Noah Joseph — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

Pirelli may be used to sticking to its territory, but the latest development has the Italian rubber company voluntarily ceding ground to its rivals. After having secured the exclusive contract to provide tires to Formula One, Pirelli has announced that it's withdrawing from the World Rally Championship.

Pirelli had been the official tire supplier to the top-tier rally series for the past three years, and despite the F1 contract, was expected to continue its involvement in the WRC as well. However, reports now indicate that the deadline for submitting its tender to renew the WRC contract that expires this year has come and gone without Pirelli's bid.

According to reports, Pirelli was uncomfortable with the volatility of the WRC's regulations. The FIA - which governs both F1 and the WRC - offered Pirelli the opportunity to extend the current contract by another year, but Pirelli declined, choosing instead to focus its efforts on single-seaters while continuing its rally activities in national series and, possibly, in the rival Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

[Source: Autosport]

Pirelli reportedly withdraws from World Rally Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ken Block's ADAC Rally prep is no match for mechanical failure

Zach Bowman — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:58:00 EST

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

Ken Block preps for the ADAC Rally - Click above to watch video after the jump

They don't call it the World Rally Championship for nothing. The globe's best and brightest descend on the pinnacle of the rally sport to duke it out all over the planet, and while Ken Block hasn't fared as well as predicted this season, he's at least made it to the point where he can step into the ring. Right before Block took to the ADAC Rally in a new Focus bruiser, he sat down to answer a few questions from the likes of the crew at 0-60 Magazine. At the time, Block had never ran a tarmac WRC rally and was busy practicing the wheels off of the new car.

That practice served him well. For the first time, it looked like Block was going to land points with a ninth place finish over all until the car's alternator died on day three, effectively banishing him to the back of the pack once more. There's just no beating bad luck. Hit the jump to watch the interview for yourself.

[Source: 0-60 Magazine via Cold Track Days]

Continue reading Video: Ken Block's ADAC Rally prep is no match for mechanical failure

Video: Ken Block's ADAC Rally prep is no match for mechanical failure originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mini confirms entry into 2011 World Rally Championship with Countryman

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hatchback, Mini, Racing

2011 Mini Countryman WRC - Click above to enlarge

Were it not for the efforts of John Cooper and drivers like Paddy Hopkirk on the European rally stages of the 1960s, the Mini brand probably wouldn't have the beloved reputation that it does today - in fact, it's possible it would never be around today at all. BMW has confirmed a longstanding rumor with today's announcement that Mini is heading back to international rallying with the Countryman WRC beginning in 2011.

The Countryman WRC is being developed by long-time Subaru partner Prodrive for the new Super2000 regulations and will run in select World Rally Championship rounds in 2011 before taking on the full 2012 season and beyond. The rally special will have a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four with all-wheel-drive. Prodrive started work on the project early last year and testing will start this Fall.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Mini confirms entry into 2011 World Rally Championship with Countryman

Mini confirms entry into 2011 World Rally Championship with Countryman originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Mikko Hirvonen tests WRC Ford Focus, enters low orbit

Zach Bowman — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:02:00 EST

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

Mikko Hirvonen and his 2010 Ford Focus RS WRC - Click above to watch video after the jump

Our collective blogging heart goes out to Mikko Hirvonen. It's a shame to see a driver with galaxies worth of talent constantly banished to the lower rungs of the podium by the likes of Sebastien Loeb. Perpetually optimistic, the Finnish hoon seems to be a rarity among the racing driver species. Even in the face of repeated defeat, the guy typically keeps his cool and hopes for the best. That doesn't necessarily mean he's content to sit back and watch Citroën continue to dominate the WRC and Hirvonen has been beating the life out of his Focus RS racer in preparation for the upcoming Finland Rally.

Fortunately for us, a video of the testing action has made its way to the YouTubes, complete with plenty of shots of the mean Blue Oval in defiance of the laws of gravity. At some point, if we're very lucky, we just might figure out how the guy manages to get that hatch to pivot mid-air. Click past the jump to waste a little time in the best way possible.

[Source: YouTube via WebRidesTV]

Continue reading Video: Mikko Hirvonen tests WRC Ford Focus, enters low orbit

Video: Mikko Hirvonen tests WRC Ford Focus, enters low orbit originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mini Countryman to enter Rally Italy in 2011

Zach Bowman — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Budget, Europe, Crossover, Hatchback, Mini, Rumormill, Racing

Mini Countryman - Click above for high-res image gallery

Rally and the original Mini went together like sugar and grits. That pint-sized Brit made a habit of showing up at stages, mopping the floor with the competition and motoring home with trophies in tow. The wringability of the little hatches helped catapult them into the storied halls of motorsports lore - something that the new generation of Mini machines has been quick to capitalize on. Now that the brand is set to introduce the Countryman, there's some concern as to whether or not the high-riding CUV can adhere to the brand's ethos of punching above its weight.

We've heard repeated murmurings in the past about a collaboration between the rally gurus at Prodrive and Mini that could result in the honkin' Countryman doing battle in the most grueling rally arena of them all - the WRC. A new report says that the two companies will announce something pertinent to their work together later this week. We're hoping that means a first look at the rally beater, but since we haven't heard word one from Mini just yet, it's hard telling. Autocar seems to think that the announcement may have more to do with the team's schedule than anything else, saying that it expects Mini to hit the WRC by the time Rally Italy rolls around in May of 2011.

Gallery: 2011 Mini Countryman

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Mini Countryman to enter Rally Italy in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Kimi Raikkonen to stay in WRC for another season

Noah Joseph — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Citroën

Contract negotiations in Formula One always come down to a wild card or two. And though we're barely halfway through the current championship, for the coming season, that wild card appears to belong to Kimi Raikkonen.

The 2007 F1 champ defected to the World Rally Championship when he didn't like his options at the end of last season, and since then rumormill has run rampant with speculation of his return to single-seaters. Various reports placed him at Red Bull Racing, Renault or Mercedes GP for 2011, but the latest paddock scuttlebutt suggests he'll stay on the rally stage for at least another year.

Kimi's long-term future remains to be determined, though his partnership with Red Bull (which sponsors his Citroën rally car) ostensibly opens the door for a return with the energy drink's premier F1 team. But based on how things look at the moment, that won't come until 2012 at the earliest, so the rest of the Formula One grid can breathe a little easier for another season.

[Source: Autosport.com Image: Red Bull WRC]

Report: Kimi Raikkonen to stay in WRC for another season originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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John Haugland Rally School - Driver's education for the terminally slow

Zach Bowman — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Hatchback

John Haugland Rally School with Subaru - Click above for high-res image gallery

Our goal here is pretty simple: drive consecutive laps around a varied and technical rally training course without killing 63 year-old world rally competitor and all-around good guy John Haugland. You see, the man has been brave enough to strap himself into the copilot's chair of the same race-prepped Subaru WRX STI that we've been charged with wrangling, and judging from the relaxed look on his face and his calm tone of voice, he doesn't quite get the mortal danger he's placed himself in. He must have excellent life insurance.

Haugland has trained some of the world's best rally drivers, including the guano-crazy-fast Petter Solberg, but today, he's trying his best to impart a minute fraction of his encyclopedic knowledge on the art of going faster to a handful of journos just outside of Oslo, Norway. The idea here is that Subaru wants us all know as much as we can about flinging the beauty of all-wheel drive around a rally course before we get introduced to the 2011 WRX and WRX STI next month. To that end, we spent about 20 minutes in a classroom where the underlying message went something like this:

Forget everything you know about proper driving lines, car control, traction and speed. You're in our sandbox now.

Gallery: John Haugland Rally School

Continue reading John Haugland Rally School - Driver's education for the terminally slow

John Haugland Rally School - Driver's education for the terminally slow originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota set to return to World Rally Championship with Prodrive?

Noah Joseph — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:42:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota, Rumormill

In any form of motorsport, manufacturers come and go, but the sport continues to be shaped by the teams and the major players that lead them. So when Subaru packed up and left the World Rally Championship, you knew it was only a matter of time before David Richards and his company Prodrive would be back on stage. Now it looks like that opportunity could come from Toyota.

Richards has made no secret of his desire to bring Prodrive back to the WRC, but rather than re-enter as a privateer, he's indicated that the new outfit will be fielded under the auspices of a major manufacturer. Given the ties which Richards has fostered with Toyota - particularly over the Cygnet/iQ deal which be brokered with the Japanese auto giant in his capacity as chairman of Aston Martin - and the reported presence of Toyota scouts at several rallies recently, the signs are pointing towards Toyota's involvement.

It's been over a decade since the Japanese automaker has competed in the WRC, but recently trimmed a significant drain on its motorsport budget by withdrawing from Formula One. A top-tier rally team is tipped to cost around 8% of what Toyota had been pouring into its over-funded F1 program. And speaking of F1, Richards has for the time being abandoned aspirations to return to grand prix racing, having run both the Benetton and BAR-Honda teams in the past. But he leaves F1 with an intriguing suggestion to replace the current qualifying system with a computerized grid that would rotate the starting order with each race, thereby mixing up the outcome of each race. Interesting, but the Toyota reports seem more plausible.

[Source: Pitpass]

Toyota set to return to World Rally Championship with Prodrive? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What next for Kimi Raikkonen?

Noah Joseph — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Rumormill

Every F1 season has its wild cards, but in his typical style, few have proven as wild as Kimi Raikkonen. When Ferrari cut his contract short at the end of last season, the 2007 world champion - who came within spitting distance of stealing the title in 2003 and 2005 too - shocked the motor racing world when he simply packed his helmet and switched disciplines to the World Rally Championship.

Now learning the rally ropes with highly-rated promise, Raikkonen is still proving the wildest of wild cards for next season and beyond. As a contracted Red Bull driver in the WRC, speculation has been rampant that the "Ice Man" could make his triumphant return to the grand prix scene behind the wheel of a Red Bull F1 car.

Infamously resistant to interviews, the Finn refused to comment on his next career move, but the brakes seem to have been put on the rumors when Red Bull Racing chief Christian Horner nixed the idea. However, the team's influential "advisor" Helmut Marko - himself a former F1 driver and Le Mans winner - is reportedly in favor of replacing current championship leader Mark Webber - whose contract expires at the end of this season - with Raikkonen. Kimi's manager isn't ruling anything out, neither committing his client to another season in the WRC nor refuting the possibility of his return to F1.

So could Raikkonen be back in single-seaters with Red Bull next season? Entirely too early to say for sure, especially with reports that Felipe Massa is slated to stay with Ferrari, thereby closing that door for Webber. But for a talent as versatile as Kimi's, the sky is the proverbial limit.

[Source: ESPN]

What next for Kimi Raikkonen? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ken vs. Kimi, showdown in Portugal

Zach Bowman — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Videos

Ken Block and Kimi Raikkonen at Rally Portugal - Click above to view video after the jump

Ken Block is still slugging his way through his first season in the World Rally Championship. America's rally golden boy is dead last in the point standings with a big goose-egg on the leader board, but that doesn't mean he's lost his ability to give the crowd a proper show. At the start of Rally Portugal, organizers decided to pass on the standard opening ceremonies in favor of a Super Special held in a local arena. Drivers were paired up based on their corresponding rivalries, and Block wound up in a rookie battle royale with former F1 champ Kimi Raikkonen.

Block wanted to add a little bit of spice to the fight, so the guy bets Raikkonen 100 euros that he'll take the win. From the instant the flag drops, the two were neck and neck through the entire course. Who took the win? You'll can hit the jump to see for yourself. Surprisingly, Block managed to stay with Raikkonen for a tie time of 2:11.0.

We will say that by the end of Rally Portugal, Raikkonen was still lodged 10th with 15 points, while Block had to retire before crossing the finish line at the last stage.

[Source: Monster World Rally Team]

Continue reading Video: Ken vs. Kimi, showdown in Portugal

Video: Ken vs. Kimi, showdown in Portugal originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Super slo-mo R/C cars lose all sense of scale

Zach Bowman — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Videos, Subaru, Toys/Games

R/C cars in slow motion - Click above for the video after the jump

As Dave Chapelle irrefutably proved in 2004, everything is better in slow motion. Similarly, scale race cars are nearly always more interesting than the real deal, partially because any Joe can afford a WRC Subaru that runs off of glow fuel or electric power, and also because sliding a 1/10th remote-controlled car into a ditch is never really "game over" for the day. Plus, as Nissan Canada recently proved with its spot for the 2010 Sentra SE-R, it's hard to tell the little guys from the real deal on film.

So what happens when the you combine scale R/C cars and slow motion? Pure gold, friends. Aside from seeing their Lexan body shells deflect and bend under the bristling power of tiny motors, we also get our minds blown with just how real these things look. Throw in a slightly out-of-focus image, a perfectly designed course and good looking car, and you could nearly replicate your favorite WRC footage. Hop the jump to see for yourself.

[Source: Awdsome via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Super slo-mo R/C cars lose all sense of scale

Video: Super slo-mo R/C cars lose all sense of scale originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ken Block at WRC Rally Mexico

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos

Ken Block in the Mexico round of the WRC - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ken Block and co-driver Alex Gelsomino put on a helluva show at the Corona Rally Mexico round of the World Rally Championship. A number of incidents, including a puncture, some boulder kissing, and a fully day of stages were missed because of rather nasty date with a ditch, the pair still managed a classification of 18th out of 25. We'll find out in two weeks at the Rally of Turkey if Block's Mexico foray was a building block - and if it was, this could be a very good year for the man and his Monster Ford Escort. Dirty pics are in the gallery below, and a press release and video recap are after the jump.

Gallery: Ken Block at the Mexico round of the WRC

[Source: Monster World Rally Team]

Continue reading Video: Ken Block at WRC Rally Mexico

Video: Ken Block at WRC Rally Mexico originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Walter Röhrl reunited with WRC-winning 1984 Audi Quattro on famed Monte Carlo stage

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Audi, Racing

Walter Rörhl throwing an Audi Quattro WRC racer up the Col de Turini - Click above to watch video after the jump

Can we pause for a moment and give it up for Walter Röhrl? Here's a racer whose professional career began in 1973, first person to win the World Rally Championship twice, winner of the Pikes Peak race and the title Rally Driver of the Century in Italy and Rally Driver of the Millennium in France, and who simply never gave up the habit of winning or doing fast laps.

Autocar got the man back in the Audi Quattro with which he won the 1984 Rally Monte Carlo - Quattros took the first three positions, in fact - and sent him up the Col de Turini to see if he and the car still had it. Follow the jump to find out, and for a little more context, there's a video summary of that 1984 rally and a clip of Röhrl discussing and flying up Pikes Peak.

[Source: Autocar]

Continue reading Video: Walter Röhrl reunited with WRC-winning 1984 Audi Quattro on famed Monte Carlo stage

Video: Walter Röhrl reunited with WRC-winning 1984 Audi Quattro on famed Monte Carlo stage originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ken Block's one and only Rally Focus test before Mexico

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Ford, Racing

Ken Block testing the Ford Rally Focus before last weekend's Rally Mexico - Click above to watch video after the jump

A snowy, icy and muddy Greystoke Forest in England probably isn't the best place for a new rally driver to practice for the WRC's Rally Mexico, but that's where Ken Block had to get his testing done, and he had just one day to do it. Follow the jump to watch the DC Shoes maestro getting to grips with his steed. Having already seen the results of the race, it appears he didn't do all bad.

[Source: Monster World Rally]

Continue reading Video: Ken Block's one and only Rally Focus test before Mexico

Video: Ken Block's one and only Rally Focus test before Mexico originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Real-time WRC video gaming just around the corner?

Chris Shunk — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:26:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

World Rally Championship promoter North One Sport is working with gaming and GPS companies on a study involving real-time tracking data obtained from WRC stars during actual events. The study exams whether the data can be implemented into a WRC video game that will enable gamers to utilize their virtual racing skills against the real deal. The companies are collecting the tracking data with the goal of creating a very realistic, very accurate gaming experience for the rabid racing gamers among us.

We're thinking the ability to go one on one against the best of the WRC would be a decidedly good thing, and North One Sport CEO Simon Long plans to take the concept even further. "If this test is successful then we hope in the future to crown our first virtual rally champion." If the folks at North One Sport and its gaming and GPS partners can execute on the realistic racing gamers crave, this sounds like something that could be very, very cool.

[Source: WRC | Image: Roni Rekomaa/AFP/Getty Images]

Real-time WRC video gaming just around the corner? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FIA approves new Top 10 points system for F1, WRC

Noah Joseph — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

The podium at the 2009 European Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile has put together a new points system which has subsequently been adopted by both Formula One and the World Rally Championship. Starting with the 2010 seasons for both motorsport disciplines, the top ten finishers in each race or rally will earn points, instead of the top eight as in recent seasons.

The new system awards points on a 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 basis. An earlier tweak to the system would have awarded 25 points to first place and 20 to second, but further consideration by both F1 and WRC opted instead to give race winners a wider point margin than second place in a bid to encourage drivers to push for the win instead of taking a calculated second place points finish.

The Sporting Working Group - billed as a think-tank within the FIA - reportedly also considered proposals for F1 to award points for fastest laps and pole positions, as well as another proposal to mandate at least two pit stops per race despite the ban on mid-race refueling. These proposals, however, were not approved.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Fred DuFour/AFP/Getty]

FIA approves new Top 10 points system for F1, WRC originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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