Monticello Motor Club: A New York Race Track for the Very, Very Rich
By Wippz on Jul 25, 2008 in Automobile | comments(0)
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Batmobile & Toyota F1 Race Car Wallpapers
By Wippz on Jul 9, 2008 in Automobile | comments(0)
Last week Panasonic Toyota Racing brought the Batmobile and Bat-Pod vehicles for a demonstration run alongside the Toyota TF108 F1 car at the Silverstone race track. The Batmobile that will be featured in the new Batman movie “The Dark Knight” is around 3m at its widest point, 4.5m long and 1.5m high, weighing in at 2.5 tons. It is equipped with a 340hp 5.7-litre V8 gasoline engine and it has six wheels - two in the front, outfitted with sprint car race tires, and four monster truck tires at the back. See images after the jump. Continued
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Sphere: Related ContentKubica leads BMW 1-2
By Wippz on Mar 14, 2008 in Uncategorized | comments(0)
BMW Sauber revealed the true pace of its F1.08 car at Albert Park on Saturday morning as it took a surprise 1-2 in final practice session – with the big names forced into a back seat.
Nick Heidfeld had predicted following the first day of running in the new season that last year’s third fastest team had more speed than its lowly Friday positions suggested – and he was proved right in practice three.
Heidfeld and team-mate Robert Kubica completed the first laps of the weekend under the 1m26s barrier in the closing minute of the hour, with Kubica’s best of 1m25.613s three tenths faster than Heidfeld’s.
However the expected response from the Ferrari and McLaren quartet didn’t materialise, as they all either got stuck in traffic or had to slow down for incidents on their own final soft tyre runs.
It meant the likely contenders for the qualifying session that follows all had the unusual experience of finishing outside the top 10.
Fernando Alonso showed Renault may have more pace over one lap for qualifying than he initially feared by going third fastest, with Williams’ Nico Rosberg fourth.
Red Bull Racing continued its fine form from the opening day, with David Coulthard and Mark Webber closed matched in fifth and sixth.
Jenson Button was 0.9s away from the BMWs in seventh, but his final timed run included the fastest time in the middle sector.
Toro Rosso’s Sebastian Vettel and the consistently impressive Force India of Giancarlo Fisichella completed an unusual looking top 10.
Indeed these two both had spells higher up the order as numerous drivers headed the field during the session as the times tumbled across the hour.
Afterhot temperatures and gusty wind, combined with the usual ‘green’ track surface, contributed to numerous spins and offs on Friday, conditions were far cooler on Saturday with the circuit beginning to pick up more grip.
However neither Ferrari nor McLaren’s drivers got a chance to fully exploit this with a fast lap on soft tyres.
Felipe Massa was 1.4s off Kubica’s pace in 11th, with Lewis Hamilton a slot behind in 12th.
World champion Kimi Raikkonen 14th with the second McLaren of Heikki Kovalainen just ahead of the Super Aguris in 20th.
Renault rookie Nelson Piquet Jr endured another difficult session, with his hour including a trip through the gravel trap at turn 3 en-route to the 15th fastest time.
Australian GP free practice session 3 times
1.
2. HEIDFELD BMW 1m25.950s
3.
4. ROSBERG Williams 1m26.171s
5. COULTHARD Red Bull 1m26.385s
6. WEBBER Red Bull 1m26.470s
7. BUTTON Honda 1m26.502s
8. VETTEL Toro Rosso 1m26.663s
9. FISICHELLA Force
10. TRULLI
11. MASSA Ferrari 1m27.020s
12. HAMILTON McLaren 1m27.084s
13. GLOCK Toyota 1m27.162s
14. RAIKKONEN Ferrari 1m27.163s
15. PIQUET Renault 1m27.284s
16. BARRICHELLO Honda 1m27.333s
17. SUTIL Force
18. BOURDAIS Toro Rosso 1m27.578s
19. NAKAJIMA Williams 1m27.601s
20. KOVALAINEN McLaren 1m27.992s
21. SATO Super Aguri 1m28.363s
22. DAVIDSON Super Aguri 1m28.912s
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Sphere: Related ContentBarnes Broke Thumb In Crash In NASCAR Three During Daytona 200
By Wippz on Mar 11, 2008 in All | comments(0)
Michael Barnes was running seventh in the 67th Daytona 200, March 8 at Daytona International Speedway, when on lap 11 he clipped the last section of soft barriers at the exit of the chicane and suffered a violent tumble down the banking in NASCAR Turn Three.
“I just remember it flashing right out in front of me,” Barnes told Roadracingworld.com, referring to the non-inflatable safety module.
On-track activities were postponed on the day of the Daytona 200 due to winds, some gusting as high as 50 mph, according to race officials, moving soft barriers out of position.
“I just remember Nicky Moore being in front of me, which is why I went high,” continued Barnes. “I don’t know if I was trying to squeeze into a spot that was too tight, but I don’t disregard the wind pushing it into me. But it was the biggest surprise ever!
“I believe it hit the right front of the bike. I think it must have tapped the brakes, because I was off immediately. Then I did nothing but tumble down the track. I tumbled down the track, then down the banking. But my safety gear really did its job.”
SPEED Channel showed a replay of Barnes, strapped to a gurney, being loaded into an ambulance, but only reported that he was transported to Halifax Medical Center with no further update on his condition.
“I’m really disappointed that nothing was updated on SPEED,” said Barnes. “It would have been really easy for them. I was assessed with a broken left thumb before the end of the race.”
Barnes said he had surgery to pin his thumb fracture at Halifax Medical Center and was released later that night.
“It was a simple fracture and a simple surgery,” said Barnes. “I even went and made a brief appearance at the Ocean Deck that night to let people know I was OK.”
Barnes said the pin will stay in his thumb for four weeks, “and we’ll access things then.”
Barnes raced his 2007-spec Team M4 EMGO Suzuki GSX-R600 Formula Xtreme bike in the Daytona 200, a one-race deal, and a Celtic Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000 (another race-by-race deal) to a competitive sixth (0.047 second behind fourth) in Superstock in hopes of showing potential employers that he is competitive and healthy after suffering a season-ending wrist injury in May 2007.
“I hope I showed that,” said Barnes. “I felt good all weekend. I’m pretty proud of myself and the times I turned. Unfortunately, this [crash] is one of those freak deals. Hopefully, I’m done with my share of freak deals for a while. I just want to say thanks to all my friends, family and fans for supporting me.”
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Sphere: Related Content“Give it Back to the Racers” Campaign for the 2008 Season
By Wippz on Mar 11, 2008 in All, Automobile | comments(0)
Torco Racing Fuels Ontario is pleased to announce its “Give it Back to the Racers” series for 2008 racing season.
Whether you compete in drag racing, stock cars, tractor pulling, road racing, motocross, super bikes, boat racing, or any other type of motorized competition, if you use Torco Racing Fuels you are eligible for special promotions.
“We have decided to really focus on the people that run and promote our products, the racers themselves,” stated Scott Wildgust, who along with Jack Switzer, head up Torco Racing Fuels Ontario. Wildgust added the program has four main steps for racers.
First, discount cards will be available at all Torco Racing Fuels Ontario outlets throughout Ontario, Once a racer decides whether they will be purchasing fuel by the five-gallon pail or by the 55-gallon drum, they will inform their Torco outlet and a discount card will be started. For each fuel purchase the card will be stamped, and after ten stamps the next pail or drum is free.
Secondly, there will be a monthly draw, so visit www.torcoontario.com and sign up to be entered in Torco’s monthly Skull Gear Mystery Draw. Prizes include a free t-shirt, hat, Skull Shine cleaning kit, five-gallon pail of race fuel, or even a 55 gallon drum of race. For those who sign up, send a picture of your racecar to the website racing zone which will feature all Torco Racing Fuels Ontario members.
Third is Torco’s 2009 Silver Card program. There will be three Silver Cards drawn at the end of the 2008 race season for 2009. All racers who purchase Torco Racing Fuels will be entered in this draw, and if you win you will receive a “buy-one, get-one free” privilege for the 2009 race season.
Fourth are Torco’s Gold Cards. There will be two Gold cards drawn at the end of the 2008 race season. All racers who have purchased race fuel will be entered in this draw. If your name is drawn you will receive free race fuel for the 2009 race season.
Torco Racing Fuels Ontario will also be sending out a fully-outfitted concession trailer with a full line up of Torco, Skull Shine, Skull Gear, PMRA, and Wild Boar Gear Racing apparel to over 15 race venues and shows, including the Performance World Custom Car show coming up March 14-16 in Toronto at the International Center. All are welcome to stop by and check out the many fine products as well as enter your name to win a brand new Mike Bos Junior Dragster.
Torco Racing Fuels Ontario is the presenting primary sponsor and official fuel of the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA) drag racing series.
Torco’s main goal is to bring Torco Racing Fuels into the Canadian market with as much ease of purchase and customer commitment as possible. At present there are three main distribution centers located in London, Stratford and St. Catharines, Ontario. Sometime race fuel is not the easiest item to purchase, or entails lengthy travel to pick up, and Torco is planning to ease this part of your racing. Torco’s goal is to have its Torco products within a 45-minute delivery window.
About Torco Racing Fuels Ontario: Torco Racing Fuels is the manufacturer of high performance racing and power products. Torco Racing Fuels is the choice of engine builders and professional racers for extreme power and consistency of our blend stock. Dynos and racetracks have witnessed the controlled burn and quantum power released in this Mach Series Designed Fuel. Records will be set and heads will turn. A new paradigm of thought went into the development and chemistry at the base of these fuels, assuring that peak cylinder pressure is maintained by the critical timing of fuel releasing its maximum energy potential. There are 21 grades of high performance fuels available for all types of applications.
Torco Racing Fuels Ontario power products are packaged, making them available to be shipped directly to your doorstep or through our distributors for your convenience.
Mach Series Racing Fuels are available in five-gallon pails, 55-gallon containers, bulk-transport loads, and 30,000-gallon rail cars.
Torco Racing Fuels Ontario is based in Stratford, Ontario, and can be contacted by calling (866) 96-TORCO (86726).
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Sphere: Related ContentFord forced to rebuild old car for GP race
By Wippz on Mar 10, 2008 in Automobile | comments(0)
FORD Performance Racing driver Steve Richards will take his place in the V8 supercar field for this week’s grand prix support races, but his Falcon is a write-off after smashing into a tyre barrier at 160 km/h on Sunday afternoon during the third race of the Eastern Creek championship round.
His team plans to re-use one of its older cars to ensure Richards can make the field for the coming rounds.
Team chiefs decided it would be quicker to build a new shell after the Falcon’s engine was forced back through the firewall by the impact. They have been offered spare cars by other V8 teams but have opted for in-house repairs.
The accident occurred as a result of problems with the front left-hand side of Richards’ car as he sped into turn three at the Sydney circuit. Team analysts are unsure what caused the tyre to deflate, although initial examinations indicate it may have been a split rim.
The Touring Car Entrants Group will carry out a full inspection of the damaged car before the Prodrive-run FPR outfit decides whether anything can be salvaged.
The team is working around the clock to ensure the older Falcon — which was used by Richards’ teammate Mark Winterbottom when he won two races and scored four podium places last year — is ready for Thursday’s V8 qualifying session at the grand prix.
“I’m a little bit sore down the right-hand-side but apart from that, there’s no drama,” Richards said yesterday. “… I’m spot-on, perfect. I suppose it’s testament to how safe the cars are these days.
“The load spread through the whole car, which is good; it’s what you want it to do. But it means the car’s unsalvageable.
“It does put pressure on the guys, but we’re a professional organisation and there’s no expectation that we won’t be out at the GP this weekend.”
Tim Edwards, the team chief, added: “It’s really encouraging that some of our fellow teams have offered to assist in any way, including the use of cars if necessary.”
While Richards will just be glad to be on the grid, V8 star on the rise Will Davison will want to capitalise on his breakthrough win in Sydney on Sunday. The 25-year-old, who shares a house with V8 title race leader Jamie Whincup, had a weekend to remember, posting his first V8 race win and his debut round win at the same time.
It was also the first round win for his team, Dick Johnson Racing, in seven years, as the Queensland-based V8 legend has battled to stave off debts and keep his team alive.
Even though grand prix races are non-championship events and there is only pride to race for, Davison will be aiming for a quick back-up when the V8s return to Albert Park for the first time in two years on Thursday. “We don’t have a spare car or anything to race in at Melbourne but I won’t let that worry me. We are just going to try and win again. Race drivers are always competitive once they get in the car, so I imagine everyone will be feeling the same.”
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Sphere: Related ContentWalker Racing won’t be making switch from Champ Car to IndyCar Series
By Wippz on Mar 10, 2008 in Automobile | comments(0)
Walker Racing won’t be making the switch from Champ Car to IndyCar this year after all.Walker Racing said in a statement Sunday that it had been unable to find new sponsorship partners and would not field an IndyCar team in 2008 due to a lack of funding.
“It’s a great pity that the team has had to abandon our IndyCar program,” owner Derrick Walker said in the statement.
The “Team Australia” racing partnership involving Australian businessman Craig Gore and drivers Will Power and Simon Pagenaud also was ending, the statement said.
Walker said last month he had already put his Champ Car equipment at the back of his Indianapolis garage and was beginning to work on new IRL cars in preparation for the move.
Walker’s team had been one of the Champ Car operations expected to make the switch to the Indy Racing League’s IndyCar Series this season as part of the long-awaited merger between the United States’ two open-wheel circuits.
The IndyCar Series opens March 29 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
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