Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[WTCC drivers try to get pole position by going... slower?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/19/wtcc-drivers-try-to-get-pole-position-by-going-slower/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/19/wtcc-drivers-try-to-get-pole-position-by-going-slower/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/19/wtcc-drivers-try-to-get-pole-position-by-going-slower/#commentsFiled under: , ,

WTCC Salzburgring slow qualifying

Question: When does the desire to win dictate that a racing driver try to drive slower than everyone else? Answer: When those drivers are attempting to qualify for the opening of the World Touring Car Championship at the Salzburgring track in Austria.

And now for the why. It seems that, after racing hard for the first several minutes of the qualifying session, several drivers decided to slow down to let others pass them in an effort to follow close behind in the slipstream. It's a well-known fact that drafting is one way to gain an advantage in close wheel-to-wheel racing, but the desire to catch a competitor has never proven so comical as it did in this instance.

The final lap of qualifying was so slow that time ran out as the field limped their way around the track. Officials were not amused, and after it was all said and done, 12 drivers were handed penalties, leaving Michel Nykjaer, who was not penalized, on pole. Check out the ridiculous scene of poor sportsmanship on video below.

Continue reading WTCC drivers try to get pole position by going... slower?

WTCC drivers try to get pole position by going... slower? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 May 2013 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>poor sportsmanshipqualifyingSalzburgringwtccwtcc penaltiesSun, 19 May 2013 13:05:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20575014/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/19/wtcc-drivers-try-to-get-pole-position-by-going-slower/20575014/article-detail.xml 20575014 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/wtcc-slow-qualifying_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/wtcc-slow-qualifying.png <![CDATA[2013 Honda Civic WTCC is ready for racing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/06/2013-honda-civic-wtcc-geneva-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/06/2013-honda-civic-wtcc-geneva-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/06/2013-honda-civic-wtcc-geneva-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Drumming up a little excitement for the 2013 FIA World Touring Car Championship, Honda brought its new Civic WTCC car to the bright lights of Geneva for all to see. Honda joined WTCC late last year entering the final three races. The racing outfit will run this year's entire 12-round season, which kicks off later this month in Italy.

In the off-season, Honda made a few updates to its WTCC entry including better aerodynamics, improved suspension and braking and numerous engine and turbo enhancements. Two teams will field the new Civic racecar in this year's season: Honda Racing Team JAS and a private team from Hungary, Zengő Motorsport.

Fans of the WTCC in the US will be pleased to know that series makes a return visit to Sonoma Raceway on September 8 for the Race of the United States.

Continue reading 2013 Honda Civic WTCC is ready for racing

2013 Honda Civic WTCC is ready for racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Mar 2013 19:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 honda civic wtcccivicgenevageneva 2013geneva motor showhondaWorld Touring Car ChampionshipwtccWed, 06 Mar 2013 19:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20490608/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/06/2013-honda-civic-wtcc-geneva-2013/20490608/article-detail.xml 20490608 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/2013-honda-civic-wtcc-geneva_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/2013-honda-civic-wtcc-geneva.jpg <![CDATA[Head of Honda R&D interested in returning to F1]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/11/head-of-honda-randd-interested-in-returning-to-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/11/head-of-honda-randd-interested-in-returning-to-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/11/head-of-honda-randd-interested-in-returning-to-f1/#commentsFiled under: ,



Speaking for himself and not the company, head of Honda Research and Development, Yoshiharu Yamamoto, told Autocar that when it comes to Formula One, "We do look up at those races and hope that one day we can take part again." In order for that one day to occur, a few things would need to happen: the rules would need to change and Honda would need to prove itself capable of winning in the World Touring Car Championship. Neither one is assured.

The new rules Yamamoto is thought to be referring to are the F1 engine regulations coming into force in 2014 - the sport will swap 2.4-liter V8s for 1.6-liter, turbocharged V6s. Honda has developed a 1.6-liter four-cylinder for its new entrant in the WTCC, and it's speculated that a 1.6-liter turbo four will fill the engine bay of the coming Honda Civic Type R. As with a similar on-again off-again flirtation with F1 by Volkswagen, the move to an engine spec closer to that for road cars could be one of the prime tipping points Honda needs.

However, Bernie Ecclestone, Ferrari and even Grand Prix promoters are now fighting the introduction of those V6s because, among other things, the say the engines "sounded terrible." On top of that, Honda's return assumes the company can strut its stuff in touring cars, Yamamoto telling Autocar, "I feel the first thing we must do is win in the WTCC, and then perhaps we can look further afield."

Over the past 48 years Honda has done three stints in Formula 1. In spite of its many successes - McLaren-Honda, anyone? - many look at the Japanese company's last exit in 2008 as an ignominious end to a nine-year stretch that also included the whimpering close of the BAR Honda team and the best days of Jacques Villeneuve's noteworthy F1 career. That's not exactly true, though: Honda got out at the end of 2008 and helped Ross Brawn with a management buyout to form Brawn GP in early 2009, then Jensen Button used the car Honda had just finished developing to dominate the 2009 World Championship. We, for one, would be happy to see them back.

Head of Honda R&D interested in returning to F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1hondaWorld Touring Car ChampionshipwtccYoshiharu YamamotoThu, 11 Oct 2012 11:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20346335/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/11/head-of-honda-randd-interested-in-returning-to-f1/20346335/article-detail.xml 20346335 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/hondaf1return_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/hondaf1return.jpg <![CDATA[Honda reveals 1.6-liter turbocharged heart of its new WTCC Civic racer]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/30/honda-reveals-1-6-liter-turbocharged-heart-of-its-new-wtcc-civic/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/30/honda-reveals-1-6-liter-turbocharged-heart-of-its-new-wtcc-civic/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/30/honda-reveals-1-6-liter-turbocharged-heart-of-its-new-wtcc-civic/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Honda HR412E 1.6-liter touring car race engine

Technical details are still scant, but we do know a tiny bit more about Honda and its plans for a World Touring Car Championship entrant based on the Euro-spec 2012 Civic. The automaker has unveiled its HR412E, a 1.6-liter, turbocharged and direct injected gas engine, and let us know its plans for getting the engine and car into some races: Tiago Monteiro will race one example in the final three rounds of the season, beginning with Suzuka, and multiple touring car champion Gabriele Tarquini will join him for races in the second car as of 2013. Tarquini is doing development work on the car this year.

The car itself is currently in Milan, Italy being tested and prepped by JAS Motorsport, a collaboration we've already had a taste of in the dirt with their Honda Jazz rally car. Honda has also partnered with Mugen on its WTCC project. It will be three months before we see the Civic WTCC going for the checkered flag, the Suzuka race running October 19-21. Have a read of the presser below for a few more details on the engine and the drivers.

Continue reading Honda reveals 1.6-liter turbocharged heart of its new WTCC Civic racer

Honda reveals 1.6-liter turbocharged heart of its new WTCC Civic racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 honda civicciviceuropean civicgabriele tarquinihondahr412ejas motorsportmugentiago monteirotouring carworld touring car championshipwtccMon, 30 Jul 2012 18:41:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20288013/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/30/honda-reveals-1-6-liter-turbocharged-heart-of-its-new-wtcc-civic/20288013/article-detail.xml 20288013 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/hondawtccengine_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/hondawtccengine.jpg <![CDATA[Chevrolet Camaro tours overseas as new safety car for World Touring Car Championship [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/16/chevrolet-camaro-tours-overseas-as-new-safety-car-for-world-tour/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/16/chevrolet-camaro-tours-overseas-as-new-safety-car-for-world-tour/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/16/chevrolet-camaro-tours-overseas-as-new-safety-car-for-world-tour/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Chevrolet Camaro WTCC safety car

Seeing a Chevrolet Camaro setting the pace at a NASCAR or Indy race is not uncommon, but its latest tour of duty has taken GM's modern ponycar to another form of racing altogether: the World Touring Car Championship.

The WTCC pits race-prepped sedan and hatchback touring cars against each other on tracks across Europe and around the world. Considering that the factory-backed Chevrolet Cruze has emerged over the past couple of seasons as the car to beat in WTCC competition, perhaps its only fitting that another Chevy act as safety car.

The Safety Ca(r)maro, as it's been dubbed, appears pretty much bone stock, though we'd assume it has had the necessary safety gear fitted, like a roll cage, five-point harness and fire supression system. But as it stands, its 430-horsepower V8 is about 40% more powerful than the restricted engines in the touring cars it's keeping at bay. Scroll on down for the full press release and video clip.

Continue reading Chevrolet Camaro tours overseas as new safety car for World Touring Car Championship [w/video]

Chevrolet Camaro tours overseas as new safety car for World Touring Car Championship [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Jun 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camarochevroletchevrolet camarochevychevy camaropace carsafety carworld touring car championshipwtccSat, 16 Jun 2012 20:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20255923/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/16/chevrolet-camaro-tours-overseas-as-new-safety-car-for-world-tour/20255923/article-detail.xml 20255923 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/camaro-wtcc_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/camaro-wtcc.jpg <![CDATA[Honda to enter World Touring Car Championship with new Civic]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/03/honda-to-enter-world-touring-car-championship-with-new-civic/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/03/honda-to-enter-world-touring-car-championship-with-new-civic/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/03/honda-to-enter-world-touring-car-championship-with-new-civic/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Honda WTCC Civic racer renderings - Official

Honda has announced plans to enter the FIA World Touring Car Championship with this, a hot new racer based on the newly redesigned 2012 Civic (well, the European five-door, anyway). Details are slim about the new touring car racer, but the automaker has released a statement confirming that the Civic will be powered by a bespoke 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four, developed by Honda R&D in accordance with FIA's Super 2000 regulations. Honda has also formed a joint partnership with Mugen and J.A.S. Motorsport to develop the new Civic.

So, how soon will we get to watch the new hatchback swap paint with other WTCC racers? Honda hopes to officially join WTCC this season, with some inaugural rounds possibly held in Japan, China and Macau. Following that, a two-car team will be entered into every race in the 2013 championship. Hit the jump for the full details.

Continue reading Honda to enter World Touring Car Championship with new Civic

Honda to enter World Touring Car Championship with new Civic originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 honda civicciviceuropean civichondatouring carworld touring car championshipwtccFri, 03 Feb 2012 11:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20163813/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/03/honda-to-enter-world-touring-car-championship-with-new-civic/20163813/article-detail.xml 20163813 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/01-honda-wtcc628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/01-honda-wtcc628.jpg <![CDATA[Chevrolet pulls out of British Touring Car Championship]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/02/chevrolet-pulls-out-of-british-touring-car-championship/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/02/chevrolet-pulls-out-of-british-touring-car-championship/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/02/chevrolet-pulls-out-of-british-touring-car-championship/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Chevrolet Cruze BTCC

If you, like us, were wondering how MG managed to snag Jason Plato away from Chevrolet in the British Touring Car Championship, well you had good reason to wonder. The racecar driver and Fifth Gear co-host had, after all, driven the factory-backed team to both titles in 2010 and landed himself third and his team second just this past season. But you can wonder no more, as the latest news from the BTCC paddock is that Chevrolet has withdrawn from the popular saloon racing series.

The news arrives as a bit of a surprise coming from the front-running team, particularly at a time when the grid has expanded enormously in the past couple of seasons. The reason? According to Autosport, Chevrolet wants to focus its energies on the World Touring Car Championship, where the same outfit RML that ran the BTCC team fields similar Cruze touring cars - driven by Yvan Muller, Rob Huff and Alain Menu - with considerable success: The RML Chevrolet team has claimed both the drivers' and constructors' titles for the past two seasons running, making it something like the Red Bull Racing of touring cars.

A longtime competitor in the BTCC, RML reportedly hopes it won't be long before it is back on the grid in the British series, and given that most of the cars in the championship are fielded by privateer teams, we wouldn't be surprised to see them return as early as next year. In the meantime, General Motors will be well represented in the series by Vauxhall.

Chevrolet pulls out of British Touring Car Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>british touring carbritish touring car championshipbtccchevroletchevrolet cruzechevrolet cruze btccchevycruzermlworld touring car championshipwtccThu, 02 Feb 2012 08:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20162463/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/02/chevrolet-pulls-out-of-british-touring-car-championship/20162463/article-detail.xml 20162463 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/cruze-btcc1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/cruze-btcc1.jpg <![CDATA[Lada gears up for racing campaign with new Granta Sport]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/05/lada-gears-up-for-racing-campaign-with-new-granta-sport/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/05/lada-gears-up-for-racing-campaign-with-new-granta-sport/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/05/lada-gears-up-for-racing-campaign-with-new-granta-sport/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Lada Granta Sport

Lada? Racing? We've got to be kidding, right? Only we're not. While the Russian automaker may not have the motorsport pedigree of, say, Ferrari or Porsche, there's reason enough to believe it's getting serious.

One reason is its new corporate cousins at the Renault-Nissan Alliance, which owns part of Lada's parent company AvtoVaz and which never fails to get each of its divisions - from Renault in Formula One to Nissan in GT racing to Dacia in the Andros Trophy - on the track. Another is its history, however limited it may be, of competition in the World Touring Car Championship. Lada was contesting the WTCC just a couple of years ago, and in announcing the arrival of the new Granta, confirmed that it would be making a comeback. And this is the car with which it'll do it.

Called the Granta Sport, this adaptable racer will form the basis for a number of racing categories. One is the WTCC, which Lada will contest this year at two rounds (Hungary and Portugal) with an eye towards expanding to a full-season challenge in 2013. Another is the Granta Cup, a one-make racing series which Lada will field in Russia. Finally, an S2000-compliant version is reportedly in the works that would let privateer teams enter the Granta Sport in any of a number of racing series around the world.

Aside from the 1995 Chrysler Sebring coupe calling to ask for its fake plastic grille back, few details are available as to the Granta Sport's technical specifications, but we have the distinct feeling that Renaultsport has had a hand in its development. One way or another, you can scope out the high-res images in the gallery for a closer look.

Lada gears up for racing campaign with new Granta Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grantaladalada grantalada granta cuplada granta sports2000world touring car championshipwtccThu, 05 Jan 2012 07:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20138755/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/05/lada-gears-up-for-racing-campaign-with-new-granta-sport/20138755/article-detail.xml 20138755 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/weblada-granta-sport-cup2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/weblada-granta-sport-cup2.jpg <![CDATA[Ford evaluating Focus ST for World Touring Car Championship]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/29/ford-evaluating-focus-st-for-world-touring-car-championship/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/29/ford-evaluating-focus-st-for-world-touring-car-championship/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/29/ford-evaluating-focus-st-for-world-touring-car-championship/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ford Focus ST touring car

When Ford rolled out the new Focus, it launched a program to adapt the car to various touring car racing specifications. The car has been performing admirably in the British Touring Car Championship, winning several races last season with Arena Motorsport to finish second in the teams standings. But now Ford's reportedly got its eye on a bigger prize.

According to Autosport, Dearborn is considering sending the Focus ST touring car up to the World Touring Car Championship. To that end, they've reportedly retained the services of the same Arena Motorsport that fields the car in the BTCC and which has, in its considerable history, run teams in A1GP, Formula Three, Le Mans and even Fomula One - scoring a podium finish under the Onyx Grand Prix banner with Stefan Johansson behind the wheel and Ford power under the hood at the 1989 Portuguese Grand Prix, just behind Gerhard Berger and Alain Prost.

The last time Ford competed in the WTCC was in 2005. But while the World Championship may not currently race in America, don't think that American automakers aren't interested in the series. The Chevrolet Cruze currently dominates the standings its factory drivers Robert Huff, Alain Menu and defending champion Yvan Muller currently holding the top three slots in the standings. Ford, it would seem, is eager to take a slice of that particular pie.

Ford evaluating Focus ST for World Touring Car Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arena motorsportfocusfordford focusford focus stford focus touring carford focus wtccteam aontouring carworld touring car championshipwtccWed, 29 Jun 2011 18:20:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19976831/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/29/ford-evaluating-focus-st-for-world-touring-car-championship/19976831/article-detail.xml 19976831 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/focus-st-tc_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/focus-st-tc.jpg <![CDATA[Solid start to the touring car season for Volvo Polestar Racing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/04/solid-start-to-the-touring-car-season-for-volvo-polestar-racing/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/04/solid-start-to-the-touring-car-season-for-volvo-polestar-racing/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/04/solid-start-to-the-touring-car-season-for-volvo-polestar-racing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Polestar Volvo C30 WTCC at Zolder
Polestar Volvo C30 WTCC at Zolder - Click above for high-res image

Last year, Volvo's factory-backed Polestar Racing team clinched the title in the Swedish Touring Car Championship. Based on that success, the Swedish outfit elected to bump up its efforts to challenge for the World Touring Car Championship, all the while fighting to defend its national title back home where the Swedish series has merged with the Danish one to form the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship.

This week saw the debuts of both the World and Scandinavian series, the former kicking off at Belgium's Zolder circuit and the latter at the Jyllands-Ringen in nearby Denmark. Volvo Polestar made a strong showing in both with its competition-spec C30.

At Zolder, Polestar/Volvo landed 13th place in the first race and 7th in the second, scoring its first points in front of 27,000 spectators and a television audience of 45 million. Meanwhile, in Denmark, the team finished on the podium in 2nd and 3rd in the first race but 8th and 13th for the second when the starting grid was reversed, putting the team second in the standings so far.

Polestar continues working on a new turbocharged engine that it figures will account for the difference between its position at Zolder and the leader's. The WTCC heads to Monza in three weeks for the next round, as the STCC heads back to Sweden in one week. Follow the jump for the official press releases.

Continue reading Solid start to the touring car season for Volvo Polestar Racing

Solid start to the touring car season for Volvo Polestar Racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 May 2011 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>c30polestarscandinavian touring car championshipstccswedish touring car championshipvolvovolvo c30volvo polestarvolvo polestar racingworld touring car championshipwtcczolderWed, 04 May 2011 10:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19925012/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/05/04/solid-start-to-the-touring-car-season-for-volvo-polestar-racing/19925012/article-detail.xml 19925012 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/web630-volvo-polestar-wtcc_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/web630-volvo-polestar-wtcc.jpg <![CDATA[Will protests in the Middle East cause the cancelation of additional races?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/30/will-protests-in-the-middle-east-cause-the-cancelation-of-additi/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/30/will-protests-in-the-middle-east-cause-the-cancelation-of-additi/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/30/will-protests-in-the-middle-east-cause-the-cancelation-of-additi/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Go back a few years and the prospect of political unrest in a host country was seldom a factor in determining where to hold a motor race. But that age of innocence appears to be behind us.

We got our first taste of things to come when the world-famous Dakar rally was forced to cancel in 2008 and later relocate from North Africa to South America due to threats from al-Qaeda. But what we hoped would have been an isolated occurrence is re-emerging as a serious consideration for racing series the world over.

The start of the 2011 Formula One season was due to get underway in Bahrain on March 13, but protests in the gulf state forced its cancellation and the delay of the season's start, which only took place this past weekend in Australia. (The GP2 Asia series was also forced to cancel its Bahrain races in February and March.) The question is, will the cancellations in Bahrain emerge as an exception, or the new rule? Follow the jump to read on....

[Image: Adam Jan/AFP]

Continue reading Will protests in the Middle East cause the cancelation of additional races?

Will protests in the Middle East cause the cancelation of additional races? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bahrain grand prixdemonstrationsf1featuredformula 1formula onejordan rallyworld rally championshipworld touring car championshipwrcwtccWed, 30 Mar 2011 19:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19894196/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/30/will-protests-in-the-middle-east-cause-the-cancelation-of-additi/19894196/article-detail.xml 19894196 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/bahrain-protest-flags_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/bahrain-protest-flags.jpg <![CDATA[BMW pulls out of World Touring Car Championship]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/06/bmw-pulls-out-of-world-touring-car-championship/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/06/bmw-pulls-out-of-world-touring-car-championship/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/06/bmw-pulls-out-of-world-touring-car-championship/#commentsFiled under: ,

BMW 320si WTCC racer
BMW 320si WTCC - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you were disappointed with BMW's decision to leave Formula One at the end of last year, hold on to your hats as the Bavarian automaker is further scaling back its racing programs, announcing the discontinuation of its factory-backed World Touring Car Championship effort for next season.

The move follows a change in leadership at BMW Motorsport in which longtime director Mario Theissen is making way for incoming boss Jens Marquardt. Last year, after pulling out of the Sauber F1 team, BMW announced it was downsizing its WTCC works effort from three factory-backed teams to just one. But following its decision to compete against Audi and Mercedes-Benz in the national DTM series, it has evidently opted to shut down that single WTCC team as well.

BMW will, however, continue supplying its recently reworked 320 TC to independent teams in the WTCC, following the same path forged by SEAT in its withdrawal from the series after claiming the championship last year. The move leaves Chevrolet and Volvo (which enters the series in a limited capacity next year after dominating the Swedish Touring Car Series) as the only works teams in the series. Official announcement after the jump.


Gallery: BMW 320si WTCC


[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW pulls out of World Touring Car Championship

BMW pulls out of World Touring Car Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The past year didn't look too bright for the World Touring Car Championship. First BMW cut its program down from three works teams to one, then reports came in indicating that Seat - fresh from back-to-back titles - was scaling down its factory-backed team as well. But the latest reports give those behind the premier tin-top series something to smile about as Volvo announces its plans to mount an assault on the championship over the next couple of seasons.

The news comes on the back of the Swedish Touring Car Championship which the local automaker - fielded by Polestar and driven by Robert Dahlgren - seized this past weekend at Mantorp Park. With little in the way of an off-season, the 2011 STCC season is set to begin in just a couple of months. But while Volvo and Polestar prepare to defend their title, the two will also be participating in select rounds of the big league championship next season as well.

Polestar and Dahlgren will also be behind the WTCC effort, campaigning the ethanol-powered C30 DRIVe touring car, but while the BMW, Seat and Chevrolet-powered teams fix their eyes on the prize, the Volvo entry will be oriented primarily towards evaluating the series with an eye towards a full Volvo works entry the following season. Details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Volvo]

Continue reading Volvo announces foray into World Touring Car Championship after claiming Swedish title

Volvo announces foray into World Touring Car Championship after claiming Swedish title originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>stccswedish touring car championshipSwedishTouringCarChampionshipvolvovolvo c30volvo c30 driveVolvoC30VolvoC30DriveWorld Touring Car ChampionshipWorldTouringCarChampionshipwtccTue, 05 Oct 2010 07:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19659555/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/10/05/volvo-announces-foray-into-world-touring-car-championship-after/19659555/article-detail.xml 19659555 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/volvo-stcc_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/volvo-stcc.jpg <![CDATA[Video: Seat touring car flips into crowd at Brands Hatch over weekend]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/19/video-seat-touring-car-flips-into-crowd-at-brands-hatch-over-we/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/19/video-seat-touring-car-flips-into-crowd-at-brands-hatch-over-we/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/19/video-seat-touring-car-flips-into-crowd-at-brands-hatch-over-we/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

That's not gonna buff out - Click above to watch video after the jump

If you've ever found yourself as a spectator at a race track, it's easy to lull yourself into believing that you'll be as safe as can be just so long as you keep a crash barrier between your brittle bones and the lightspeed chunks of metal blasting by. Thing is, that's not always the case. The interwebs are full of videos of cars gone airborne, leaping guard rails and tire walls by leaps and bounds to come crashing down in the middle of a passel of spectators. We can officially add the video after the jump to that list of horrors.

According to our English cousins, Portugese driver Francisco Carvalho had a bit of a mishap at this weekend's World Touring Car Championship event at Brands Hatch. Carvalho was competing in the Seat Leon Euro Cup Race when he received a nudge from a fellow racer. Instead of losing a position, Carvalho's car was sent veering off of the course and into a crash barrier before bouncing end-over-end and vaulting back over the wall. The crash sent a crowd of race marshals fleeing before the car came to a stop, but amazingly enough, no one was injured. Not even Carvalho. Hit the jump to see the devastation for yourself.

[Source: YouTube via Autoblog UK]

Continue reading Video: Seat touring car flips into crowd at Brands Hatch over weekend

Video: Seat touring car flips into crowd at Brands Hatch over weekend originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carvalhoCrashFrancisco CarvalhoFranciscoCarvalhoSeatSeat Leon Euro Cup RaceSeatLeonEuroCupRaceVideoWorld Touring Car ChampionshipWorld Touring Car FlipWorldTouringCarChampionshipWorldTouringCarFlipWTCCMon, 19 Jul 2010 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19559606/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/19/video-seat-touring-car-flips-into-crowd-at-brands-hatch-over-we/19559606/article-detail.xml 19559606 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/seat-flip-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/seat-flip-630.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy builds Cruze-engined Super Spark for WTCC duty]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/11/chevy-builds-cruze-engined-super-spark-for-wtcc-duty/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/11/chevy-builds-cruze-engined-super-spark-for-wtcc-duty/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/11/chevy-builds-cruze-engined-super-spark-for-wtcc-duty/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chevrolet Spark turbo - Click above to enlarge

Chevrolet has built a special edition of its new Spark runabout for use as a pace car during World Touring Car Championship races this year. The Spark is powered by the new 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four that will power the Cruze when it goes on sale in the United States this fall. The turbo-four produces 140 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque while standard production Sparks are powered by 1.0 or 1.2-liter engines generating 67 and 80 hp, respectively, so this figures to indeed be a significantly hotter drive. The Spark turbo will make its first WTCC appearance during the event at Zolder, Belgium on June 19-20.

Before it gets down to business, the Spark and a WTCC Cruze will be displayed with the Corvette C6.R at the kickoff of this week's activities for the 24 hours of Le Mans. The GT2 Corvettes ran second and third in the opening qualifying session on Wednesday.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Chevy builds Cruze-engined Super Spark for WTCC duty

Chevy builds Cruze-engined Super Spark for WTCC duty originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevrolet cruzeChevrolet Sparkchevrolet spark turboChevroletCruzeChevroletSparkChevroletSparkTurbochevychevy cruzechevy sparkchevy spark turboChevyCruzeChevySparkChevySparkTurbocruisecruzecruze turboCruzeTurbosparkspark turboSparkTurboworld touring carWorld Touring Car ChampionshipWorldTouringCarWorldTouringCarChampionshipwtccFri, 11 Jun 2010 15:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19510720/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/06/11/chevy-builds-cruze-engined-super-spark-for-wtcc-duty/19510720/article-detail.xml 19510720 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/265796-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/265796-630.jpg <![CDATA[Video: Chevrolet Cruze WTTC entry gets the time-lapse build treatment]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/02/video-chevrolet-cruze-wttc-entry-gets-the-time-lapse-build-trea/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/02/video-chevrolet-cruze-wttc-entry-gets-the-time-lapse-build-trea/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/02/video-chevrolet-cruze-wttc-entry-gets-the-time-lapse-build-trea/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Chevrolet Cruze WTCC Build - Click above to watch the time-lapse video

Ah, the World Touring Car Championship. Whereas we Americans are led to believe that 35 identical cars with different sticker packages, all running around in circles for 500 miles somehow constitutes "stock car" racing, our cousins in Europe treat themselves to something entirely different. They pit production-based cars from just about every automaker out there against each other on a slew of very demanding road courses. As you might expect, carnage ensues, but so does some of the best fender-to-fender action found anywhere.

The crew from Ray Mallock, Ltd. have released a time-lapse video showing exactly what goes into turning a body-in-white Chevrolet Cruze into something fit for competition. Weeks of hard work gets distilled into a little under two minutes worth of entertainment. Who doesn't love technology? Make the jump to see the video.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Chevrolet Cruze WTTC entry gets the time-lapse build treatment

Video: Chevrolet Cruze WTTC entry gets the time-lapse build treatment originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20102010 World Touring Car Championship2010WorldTouringCarChampionship2011 Chevrolet2011 Cruze2011Chevrolet2011CruzeChevroletChevrolet CruzeChevroletCruzeChevyChevy CruzeChevyCruzeCruzeLtd.Ray MallockRayMallockTime LapseTimeLapsetouring carTouringCarWorld Touring Car ChampionshipWorldTouringCarChampionshipWTCCFri, 02 Apr 2010 16:56:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19421808/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/04/02/video-chevrolet-cruze-wttc-entry-gets-the-time-lapse-build-trea/19421808/article-detail.xml 19421808 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/wtcc-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/wtcc-630.jpg <![CDATA[Report: SEAT withdraws from WTCC after back-to-back titles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/15/report-seat-withdraws-from-wtcc-after-back-to-back-titles/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/15/report-seat-withdraws-from-wtcc-after-back-to-back-titles/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/15/report-seat-withdraws-from-wtcc-after-back-to-back-titles/#commentsFiled under: , ,

SEAT's WTCC Team claims victory at Macau - Click above for high-res image gallery

Quit while you're ahead. Sounds like a good idea, right? But how often do you actually see it happen? Most of the time, winning individuals, teams and companies drag out their glory days until the bitter end when victory seems like nothing more than a distant memory. Retiring at the top of its game, however, is exactly what SEAT is doing this year.

Volkswagen's Spanish subsidiary has dominated the World Touring Car Championship for the last two years running. After winning both the drivers' and manufacturers' championships in 2008, SEAT came back to repeat the feat, adding the Independents' Trophy to the cabinet while they were at it and completely eclipsing the competition in all three categories. However the last couple of years in the WTCC also saw heated controversy, of which SEAT found itself at the center, as race organizers tried to level the playing field between SEAT's turbo diesels and the naturally-aspirated gasoline engines used by the other teams in the series.

Although SEAT will remain to support privateer entries, including the Sunred Engineering team that took home the trophy last year, it will be shuttering its factory team. The move follows a similar reorganization of BMW's presence in the series, and takes the WTCC one step further away from its glory days as its grid dwindles to just a handful of teams.


Gallery: SEAT Leon TDI at WTCC Macau


[Source: Autosport]

Report: SEAT withdraws from WTCC after back-to-back titles originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>seatseat leon tdiseat leon tdi wtccSeatLeonTdiSeatLeonTdiWtccworld touring car championshipWorldTouringCarChampionshipwtccFri, 15 Jan 2010 08:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19316670/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/01/15/report-seat-withdraws-from-wtcc-after-back-to-back-titles/19316670/article-detail.xml 19316670 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/seat-bye_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/seat-bye.jpg <![CDATA[BMW continues curtailing racing programs]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/27/bmw-continues-curtailing-racing-programs/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/27/bmw-continues-curtailing-racing-programs/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/27/bmw-continues-curtailing-racing-programs/#commentsFiled under: ,


BMW 320si WTCC, BMW-Sauber F1.07 and Formula BMW FB02 - Click above for high-res image gallery

What would BMW be without racing? We could be about to find out if recent developments are any indication. The Bavarian automaker competed in F1, the World Touring Car Championship and various sportscar series, while running its own Formula BMW feeder series that has helped breed such talents as Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel. The automaker announced its withdrawal from Formula One at the end of this year, and reports now indicate that they'll be severely curtailing their participation in the World Touring Car Championship as well.

BMW mounted a concerted comeback effort in the WTCC this year, only to narrowly lose out again to SEAT. Whether the decision is directly related to the upset or not is unclear, but reports out of Europe say that BMW will be reducing the number of its cars in the championship next year from five to two. That means eliminating the national teams system it had in place, consolidating and putting its WTCC-spec 320si in the hands of Team Schnitzer (the erstwhile BMW Team Germany), which gains triple champion Andy Priaulx from BMW Team UK to partner with multiple race winner Augusto Farfus. Two-time CART champion and double amputee Alex Zanardi, who was racing for BMW Team Italy-Spain, is moving to the Superstars Series. (Touring car fans should also note that SEAT's 2008 champion Yvan Muller is moving to Chevrolet to replace the retiring former F1 driver Nicola Larini.)

What remains to be seen is whether BMW will continue cutting its racing activities in other series as well, or if they'll have cut enough expenditures from their F1 and WTCC programs to let its sportscar programs and Formula BMW survive the cutbacks.


Gallery: BMW 320si WTCC


[Source: OmniAuto.it]

BMW continues curtailing racing programs originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alex zanardiAlexZanardiandy priaulxAndyPriaulxaugusto farfusAugustoFarfusbmwbmw 320sibmw wtccBmw320siBmwWtccnicola lariniNicolaLariniworld touring car championshipWorldTouringCarChampionshipwtccyvan mullerYvanMullerFri, 27 Nov 2009 15:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19254845/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/27/bmw-continues-curtailing-racing-programs/19254845/article-detail.xml 19254845 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/web-2007-bmw-sauber-f107-trio-1280x960_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/web-2007-bmw-sauber-f107-trio-1280x960.jpg <![CDATA[SEAT dominates with second consecutive World Touring Car Championship]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/seat-dominates-with-second-consecutive-world-touring-car-champio/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/seat-dominates-with-second-consecutive-world-touring-car-champio/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/seat-dominates-with-second-consecutive-world-touring-car-champio/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


SEAT World Touring Car Championship Team with the Leon TDI - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you would have told us ten or twenty years ago that diesel would come to dominate motor racing, we probably would have laughed in your face. But since Audi charted new territory by dominating Le Mans with its R10 TDI, the competition benefits of burning oil is beyond reproach. Not satisfied to let diesel power dominate endurance sportscar racing, however, sister company SEAT picked up the mantle last year in the World Touring Car Championship with the Leon TDI.

As it turns out, running on diesel came to be a liability for SEAT as the WTCC reformatted the rules to reduce diesel's advantage. But the Sociedad Española de Automóviles de Turismo (Spanish Touring Car Company) pulled together, rallied its team and went on to dominate the World Touring Car Championship for the second year in the row, clinching all three of the series titles this past weekend in Macau - China's closest approximation of Monaco and the final round in the championship.

SEAT won the manufacturers' title, outpacing rivals BMW by three small points and outshining Chevrolet (with their new Cruze-based touring car) and Lada. SEAT's main shoe, Gabriele Tarquini, clinched the drivers' title ahead of his teammate (and defending champion) Yvan Muller. As if that wasn't enough, privateer Tom Coronel drove his gasoline-powered Leon to secure the Independents Trophy as well, making it a resounding triple victory for SEAT and its WTCC crew. Details in the press release after the jump and photos in the high-res image gallery below.


Gallery: SEAT Leon TDI at WTCC Macau


[Source: SEAT]

Continue reading SEAT dominates with second consecutive World Touring Car Championship

SEAT dominates with second consecutive World Touring Car Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dieselleonleon tdiLeonTdimacauseatseat leonseat leon tdiseat leon wtccSeatLeonSeatLeonTdiSeatLeonWtcctdiworld touring car championshipWorldTouringCarChampionshipwtccTue, 24 Nov 2009 15:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19252217/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/24/seat-dominates-with-second-consecutive-world-touring-car-champio/19252217/article-detail.xml 19252217 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/seat-leon-macau-webopt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/seat-leon-macau-webopt.jpg <![CDATA[REPORT: World Touring Car Championship eyeing race in the U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/10/world-touring-car-championship-eyeing-race-in-the-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/10/world-touring-car-championship-eyeing-race-in-the-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/10/world-touring-car-championship-eyeing-race-in-the-u-s/#commentsFiled under: ,

Chevrolet Cruze WTCC - Click above image for high-res gallery

Marcello Lotti, series promoter for the FIA World Touring Car Championship, told Autosport that he wants to bring the event to the United States in 2011. Inaugurated in 1987, the series was originally based in Europe. In 2009, the racing expanded to Brazil, Japan, and Mexico and continues to grow. Current rules limit engine size to 2000 cc, but that hasn't slowed automakers such as SEAT, BMW, or Chevrolet from rounding out the top 3 in Manufacturer's Championship points right now.

A race in the States would attract new manufacturers (Ford is expected to enter its new Focus model). The two most likely venues for the race would be Laguna Seca and the road course at Homestead-Miami Speedway... the favorite right now. "Our preference is for a race in the south of the country because that's where the market is for smaller cars," Lotti told Autosport. Thanks for the tip Marty!


Gallery: Chevrolet Cruze at Marrakech WTCC


[Source: Autosport.com]

REPORT: World Touring Car Championship eyeing race in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Oct 2009 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChampionshipChevrolet CruzeChevroletCruzeHomestead-Miami SpeedwayHomestead-miamiSpeedwaylaguna secaLaguna Seca RacewayLagunaSecaLagunaSecaRacewayRace CarRaceCarRacesTouring CarTouringCarUnited StatesUnitedStatesVenuesWorld Touring Car ChampionshipWorldTouringCarChampionshipWTCCSat, 10 Oct 2009 09:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19191077/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/10/world-touring-car-championship-eyeing-race-in-the-u-s/19191077/article-detail.xml 19191077 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/wtcc_580_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/wtcc_580.jpg -1 2