Race Cars

Maserati GT2 Picks Up MC12’s Legacy, Aims To Bring Maserati Back To GT Racing

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Maserati is looking to recharge its GT racing ambitions while creating a new chapter that can fill the pages written by the MC12, one of the most stylish and controversial cars the Italian luxury company has ever produced. The Maserati GT2 made a splash at the 24 Hrs of Spa race in Belgium last weekend, and after seeing the car briefly grace our television screen, we think Maserati is on the right track in its track-focused game plan. GT2 Brings Maserati Back To The Track Like the MC12, the GT2 is designed to comply with GT regulations and shares most …

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Ford Says Goodbye To GT With Wild 2023 Ford GT Mk IV, 67 To Be Built, Costs $1.7 Million Dollars

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The Ford GT was an enigma deep in the halls of the Ford Motor Company. When Ford announced that it was reviving the GT at a conference during the North American International Auto Show inside the now-demolished Joe Louis Arena, it was arguably one of the best-kept secrets in the industry, with the futuristic two-door grabbing the world’s attention. We had a chance to experience it both on the track and on the street where it proved to be a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. Sadly, the GT is going away after 2023, but Ford has prepared a final send-off model (for …

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Dodge Announces Challenger Drag Pak Bodies, Confirms Carbon Fiber Charger Bodies Too

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Dodge had plenty to talk about the past few days; from the Challenger Droptop to the recently unveiled Dodge Hornet, it’s clear that Dodge is trying to boldly transition to a new era. But what if you’re a drag racer looking to build the track-slaying monster of your dreams but want to go about things your own way? Dodge has the answer with a new wave of rolling bodies that will allow you to do just that.    A Pair Of Options For Any Budget Modifying and creating a drag racer can be a very pricey and intensive headache, but …

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Hyundai’s N Day Celebration Reveals EV Future With RN22e, N Vison 74 Takes Hydrogen To The Track

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We thought that Hyundai couldn’t possibly find a way to outdo themselves after yesterday’s unveiling of the Ioniq 6 EV concept, but the Korean car giant has managed to prove that we were once again wrong for underestimating their capabilities because N Day revealed some very interesting things about where things are headed for Hyundai’s wildest sub-brand.   Hyundai RN22e   On the surface, the RN22e might appear to b an Ioniq 6 at first glance, but look at some of its revisions and it’s obvious that this is a completely different breed of Hyundai. While it has retained the …

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Honda Unveils Rally Bred Passport SUV, Will Compete In American Rally Association

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It wasn’t too long ago that Honda focused on promoting reliability, practicality, and value with its utility vehicle lineup. While this certainly catered to a wide swath of buyers, that meant putting things such as off-road capability, trail readiness, and fun on the backburner. Thankfully, the Japanese auto giant is finally changing its tune on those latter three and has put a greater emphasis on promoting them to consumers. That includes the growing TrailSport lineup, but Honda promises these models are just the first act in a broader show. We got to see a slice of this on the motorsport …

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Bentley Continental GT3 Shoots For The Crown In Pikes Peak Challenge

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The annual Pikes Peak hill climb event is fast approaching, and while the COVID-19 pandemic forced contenders to sit out the 2020 event in their garages, the 2021 event promises to continue its wild ways. Bentley is one of the teams competing in this year’s event and has prepared a special Continental GT3 to try and plant their bespoke flag at the event.    A Different Breed Of Continental The Continental GT3 might have originally started life as a luxury-filled coupe, but Bentley engineers have transformed the car into a potent track weapon, with the British luxury carmaker claiming that …

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Auto Insider: 7 Digital Tools You Need for Your Auto Shop – Featuring C8.R

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Digital technology can be a real struggle for auto shops—curse that evil “Yelp” website for exposing your systematic overcharging of maintenance checks! Really though, there are plenty of great digital tools that can help your auto shop be more efficient and market itself better. Here are 7 digital tools you need to use at your auto repair business. 1.     Social Media So far as business goes, social media is a tool that’s easy to use but difficult to master. You should definitely set up pages for your auto shop on all major social media platforms, like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. …

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Ford Unveils Bronco R Baja Racer, Showcases Clues For Production Bronco [Video]

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Ford is still very keen on keeping the wraps firmly tightened around the production Ford Bronco, but the company has given eager fans of the iconic nameplate something extra to chew on with the unveiling of the Bronco R Baja racer. Designed to tackle the upcoming Baja 1000 desert race, the revived model will also help celebrate the 50th anniversary of Rob Hall’s Baja 1000 victory in a first gen Bronco based entry. As another nod to the past, Hall’s granddaughter Shelby Hall will drive it during portions of the grueling race. Before all that happens though, Ford will take …

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Ford Unveils 2020 Xfinity Series Mustang, Will Debut In Daytona 500

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Using the dynamic backdrop of the 2019 Woodward Dream Cruise as an enviable world stage, Ford Performance took the veil of secrecy off of its updated Xfinity Series racing Mustang, which aims to continue the impressive success that the Mustang has had in NASCAR since it made its return to that sport in 2011. While the rules governing NASCAR prevent the updated racer from adopting radically altered body work, Ford designers still managed to make the new racer stand out from its predecessors. The graphics work for example has been updated to better reflect the current Mustang, with familiar cues …

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Auto Industry Insider: Dealing with the Stress of Classic Car Ownership

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Owning a classic car is a dream come true for many. Whether you grew up watching Starsky and Hutch on TV, or you have fond memories of the Dukes of Hazzard, we all have a classic car-shaped hole in our heart. All you have to do is to figure out which vehicle fills the void in your automotive love story. However, owning a vintage car doesn’t come without stress. After all, when you drive a vehicle that left the manufacturer several decades ago, it’s only natural to worry about performance, breakdowns and overall costs. Hopefully, this short list of fears …

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1979 Porsche 935 - Gooding Amelia 20199

Updated – 1979 Porsche 935 – Gooding Amelia Island 2019

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Update: This car is still available after not meeting its reserve. A few new photos of the machine from Amelia. It passed the two million mark but not close enough to three, apparently. The car seems to be in a ‘between’ period between campy and classic. 1979 Porsche 935 – Gooding Amelia 2019 Check out this beauty!  The wild paintwork and the massive racing aero dwarf the tiny 911 basis for this racecar.  The result is a machine nearly as wide as it is long, and as fire-spitting as any on the world’s racetracks.  Power is estimated at 650HP, which …

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1987 Kremer Porsche 962C – Gooding Amelia 2019 Highlights

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It is very easy to see why this Porsche 962 earned over a million bucks at the Gooding Amelia 2019 auctions. Not only is the livery gorgeous but the condition of the vehicle is all original, and truly exceptional for a car that did LeMans for two years in the 1980s. A race that usually only the winners leave intact…! Those hubs in a rusty gold are not in fact rusty but are made of NASA-spec magnesium/titanium alloy, which is naturally that color. Was surprised to see Yokohama tires on the 750HP racer… until noticing they were an official sponsor …

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1998 Nissan R390 GT1 – Amelia Concours 2019 Highlight

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This one-of-a-kind machine is the only road-going variant of the Nissan R390 LeMans racecar series. It usually lives locked away in the Nissan’s Zama museum in Japan so we were very fortunate to have it attend the Amelia Island Concours 2019. Every vehicle ever looks stunning on bright green grass under Florida sun. The design is a thing of great beauty, even if the nose detailing is dull and this road variant lacks the giant rear wing of the racecars. The 3.5-liter V8 shoots 550 fiery horsepower out the rear bumper edges on command from inside the leather-wrapped cabin. We …

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2019 Aston Martin Vanquish Vision Concept + RB-003 = Mid-Engine Mania!

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Aston just whipped the tarps of its fourth mid-engined car in as many years. The Vanquish Vision concept is a fascinating move away from front-engine, rear-drive layouts for the most special of Aston road cars.  Another shift is a new V6 that is set to power this vehicle upon arrival in 2022.  Aston famously ran straight-six motors for most of its glory days in the 1950s and 1960s so there is definitely precedent for a non-V8 or V12. Lightness is the name of the game for next Vanquish — and this Valkyrie junior has bonded aluminum structure and bodywork that …

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TechRules Turbine EV Racecar Shows Its Glowing Heart

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Some interesting news from TechRules today — a closer look at the mini-turbine that will recharge future EVs on the go.  This is a series hybrid like an Abrams tank or certain military ships, where the power created from the gas turbines is directly applied to the electric motors which do the actual propulsion. What makes this new design so fascinating and potentially game-changing is the micro nature of the turbine that TechRules has created. A new air-bearing appears to solve a frequent wear-out item in turbines and should make the system an interesting long-term/long-range electric. One that you can …

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1979 Porsche 935 – Gooding Amelia Island 2019 Preview

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Check out this beauty!  The wild paintwork and the massive racing aero dwarf the tiny 911 basis for this racecar.  The result is a machine nearly as wide as it is long, and as fire-spitting as any on the world’s racetracks.  Power is estimated at 650HP, which is more than sufficient to scare the bejesus out of any driver! Favorite details include the oversized rear wheels with the magnesium heat shields in a deep dome shape.  And of course the whale tail and slant-nose front aero.  The silhouette is a thing of a million study-hall daydreams — but brought to …

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2019 McLaren SENNA GTR – Best of Goodwood Festival of Speed 2018

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The McLaren Senna is already such an insanely aggressive and unique new hypercar.  Its looks instantly make the entire Lambo and Ferrari lineups seem hopelessly dated. The raw energy from these sliced and diced panels hardly needed a racing upfit.  But here we are. This Senna GTR is absolutely shocking in its design brutality. The functional nature of the aero additions are makes them even more interesting and beautiful to the eye. Check out this nose — not just the usual surfboard chin splitter here, oh no. What they’ve done is remove any air-blocking flat surfaces from the nose.  What …

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Best of Amelia Island – 2018 Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus SCG003S Stradale – Photos & Videos

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An absolutely phenomenal car is what it takes to win the real Concours trophies. In our book, a hypercar like no other is enough. SCG003S is exquisite in person.  The details for its transformation to “luxury” version of the SCG003 LMP car are slight outside. Full CHMSL and side idicator lights have a very NHTSA feel.  A backup lamp and rear fog are included along with taillights.  And a plate. This is a road car.  Fully legal in every state via a new low-volume manufacturer US certification. $2.4 mil is the cost and six are spoken for.  20 more on …

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Design Talent Showcase – P1 Phenom Hybrid – Le Mans WingTire Concept

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  Here is an eye-popper of a design concept!  The racecar of the future packing micro turbojet engines on each side.  And tires made of carbon-fiber turbine wing blades.  Packaging of the driver within a central translucent pod / teardrop is almost the most subtle piece of this beauty. P1 Phenom Hybrid is imagined in partnership with Michelin and Embraer — tire and aircraft experts.  P1 Phenom is best in exploring how racing will look with jet propulsion: beyond axles and contact patches for traction. Cheers Carlos Carvalho! Follow him over on Behance here. https://www.behance.net/gallery/41172119/P1-Phenom-Hybrid-Le-Mans-(Michelin-top10) P1 Phenom Hybrid – Le …

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Designer Showcase – Changha Lee – Peugeot Lumie LMP1 Concept

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Changha Lee has created quite a storm with this molten bullet of a racecar.  Insanely long and nearly melted in its surfaces.  But full of strategic aero and functional slashwork where needed.  It is quite a fetching design story as well.  From initial ideation to engineering skematics.  Then onto photoreal renders and even a scale model. THe Lumie Peugeot design is so charming in its simplicity.  No doors with just a hinged canopy windshield to let the central driver get in position.  The flexing, superheated flow of the design extends far over the rear axle.  A super longtail with carved …

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Designer Showcase – N.01 Autonomous Race Car Concept By Fernando Pastre Fertonani

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Gorgeous new designs out of Brazil this week from Fernando Fertonani! This fresh Masters in Transportation Design SPD Milan grad has penned out a look a driverless endurance racecar of the future. Imagine this as an LMP1 competitor and its rigid bodysides, shrouded front axle and massive wings make beautiful sense.  The open rear tires with central drive system appear to be designed for cooling – wrapped in blocky linear wings that form bodywork and tail stabilizers.  Massive electric motors inside each wheel hub reinforce the thrust this is designed to handle. Instead of a tall cockpit area and mid-mounted …

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2017 Peugeot L750 R Hybrid Joins Vision Gran Turismo Sport

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Second VGT Sport concept is live and trackable right now! This new Peugeot L750 R Hybrid is about 300-pounds lighter than the first0-gen Pug racer prototype — and delivers seriously scorching performance.  2.4-seconds to 60mph and a V-max kissing close to 250-mph. 580HP from the gas engine and 170 ponies from a liquid-cooled Li-ion hybrid battery pack equals some ferocious speed.  But this wont be GTR-easy to control at max attack: the L750 R is rear-drive only. Extreme aero and lightweighting make this L750 R a fun new way to explore the all-new GT Sport game title.   2017 Peugeot …

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2018 Bell & Ross BELLYTANKER Inspired By Bonneville vMax Racers

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Achieving top speeds with piston engines is almost all about aero.  Yes, thrust is key to get you above 100-mph.  And stability is critical for being able to comfortably reach 150-mph over the flat, but actually pretty choppy, salt flats of Bonneville.  Anything over 200-mph takes a seriously slippery shape.  The drag forces rise to exponentially with each extra MPH at that point.  You really need to be in as slippery a shape as possible. During the post-war maverick days of the late 1940s and 1950s, the engineers involved had to find the most sleek, ultra teardrop shape imaginable. Military …

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Part Two – 2017 Porsche 908 RSR Vision GT Hommage Meets 919 and 917K

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Part Two: The RSR!   The crew behind the gorgeous longtail 908 VGT design have a new beast for 2017’s fantasy-cars daydream. A skilled group of professional car designers has been working on a side project after work hours for the last few years.  When not designing vehicles for a Chinese car brand, this group led by Alan Derosier has created magic in the form of not one — but two Vision Gran Turismo fantasy concepts.  They took the VGT idea to heart and applied it to one of the most storied brands in racing history: Porsche.  For licensing and …

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Porsche 908-04 Longtail – Vision GT Hommage (Part One)

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A skilled group of professional car designers has been working on a side project after work hours for the last few years.  When not designing vehicles for a Chinese car brand, this group led by Alan Derosier has created magic in the form of not one — but two Vision Gran Turismo fantasy concepts.  They took the VGT idea to heart and applied it to one of the most storied brands in racing history: Porsche.  For licensing and rights reasons, Porsche does not appear anywhere in the SONY Polyphony Digital Gran Turismo game series.  As such, they were not one …

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Frankfurt IAA 2017 – PORSCHE Showfloor Gallery – Cayenne Turbo + GT3 Touring

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It is shocking how many things can be fixed in this world by the sheer presence of the Rothmans rally racing 959.  The new Cayenne Turbo continues the grand tradition of Porkers looking best from the back.  The nose is hard to judge in photos … but certainly looks ravenous. The GT3 Touring Package is a new issue with all the GT3 handling but less giant wing out back.  It looks stellar from both ends. We also have our first look at the 2018 Cayenne S. This seems rather plain in the presence of the Turbo but will surely bring …

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2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet – RM London Preview

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This CLK DTM is a rarer version of the ultra-rare DTM hardtop.  Just 80 copies of this stunning ragtop were produced — and this racing widebody is extra WILD with no roof. Fabric folding top also makes the tall rear wing seem to stand even prouder than it does on the coupe!  The full carbon tonneau cover, and seating all around adds a nice bit if racing flair to a lux hotrod for the street. When new, this machine cost near $350k and was only pre-sold to a select few in Europe. The current owner is seeking about the same …

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Meet the Original 1964 Ford GT40 Concept and 1965 GT40 Roadster Prototype 11

Concept Flashback – 1965 GT40 Roadster Prototype

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The GT40 was actually a pretty derivative design – with a chassis and overall structure partially borrowed from Lola. But the GT40 as it came from Lola was not a winner right away. While the Mark I GT40 is a bit more pure, and a lot more beautiful by many eyes — it was not a race-winner. The GT40 started winning races with the Mark II GT40 with its huge air scoops, front sill spats, and other aero mutations to the overall design. But still – it is hard to argue with the clean beauty of these initial concept prototypes. …

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2018 Acura ARX-05 Endurance Racer Bringing V6TT To Track

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  Acura racer… coming in hot! This new ARX-05 will race in 2018 for Team Penske in the DPi class of endurance racers — some of the fiercest competitors on US tracks. Acura’s motorsport V6TT serves here and will power the car for its Rolex 24 race premiere in Daytona. On to the design!~ It is mean.  Mean and fast. This nose tells cars in front: You’re About To Get Passed.   2017 Acura ARX-05   Acura Reveals Striking ARX-05 Prototype Race Car in Monterey; Debut Set for Daytona Aug 18, 2017 – MONTEREY, Calif. Acura to take on top …

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Best of Pebble Beach – 2017 INFINITI Prototype 9 in 33 New Photos

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Updated 8.22.17 How can we give a Best Of Award already?   The Concours has not even begun yet! In terms of modern OEM exotics and concepts, the Infiniti Prototype 9 is already one of the most memorable and high-impact designs.   Absolutely stunning. High-impact but low volume!  The Prototype 9’s main drawback might be its lack of period combustion engine note….!     A 1940s racer for modern day?  How about one with an all-electric driveline and single-seater cabin? The perfect fit for the world’s most prestigious concours: Pebble Beach. Infiniti just whipped the silk capes off their Prototype …

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1957 Arnott-Climax 1100 GT 3

1957 Arnott-Climax 1100 GT – Gooding & Co. Pebble Beach 2017 Preview

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  Have you ever laid eyes on a more beautiful teardrop racer? Competing with the likes of the Porsche 356 and other micro-lights was a tough game in the late 1950s.   Competitiveness in this era meant this Coventry Climax ran just a shouting 96-horsepower four, with all its weight mid-center ahead of the driver.  This played out on track nicely versus the rear-engined Porsches of the era.  Totally different but both very pure track setups. Granted, this little bugger might have had its gullwing doors blown off by a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racer of the same era, whose big …

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1985 Mazda RX-7 Evo Group B Works Rally Car – RM London 2017

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 Never. Been. Raced! Seeking $250k. Will make your rally dreams come true. 1985 Mazda RX-7 Evo Group B Works RM Sotheby’s London 2017 Lot 123 1985 Mazda RX-7 Evo Group B Works To be auctioned on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 £170,000 – £190,000 Photo Credit: Rowan Horncastle ©2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

In Pictures: 2016 Aston Martin VULCAN Details – By James Crabtree

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The Vulcan is beyond intense in person.  Lower than anything and wider than a Hummer! With nearly seamless doors and windshield showing the extreme, race-ready aero of this machine in stark contrast with all production cars.  Not even a slight bump between windshield and roof!  Meanwhile, the tail wears wings and diffuser that cost more than most whole cars. The opaque orange brakelights are spikes of material extending a half foot behind the back fenders. The hood opened forward also offers an interesting look and the Multimatic inboard suspension and the all-carbon intake manifolds. Photo credits: Thanks to James Crabtree …

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1955 Ferrari 121LM Spider by Scaglietti – RM Sotheby’s Monterey Preview

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Only in Monterey would crummy roadside motels be filled with Ferrari’s and Lambo’s! And even around the corner from Pebble Beach, these special cars (and people!) only come out once a year. RM Sotheby’s auction this week will be action-packed.  A favorite presale machine that deserves all the spotligght in the car world? This 1955 Ferrari 121LM Spider. It is the third of four ever made.  It is a shrouded-cockpit, single-seat racer in iconic French Blue.  A shrouded roll hoop behind the RHD steering setup is glamourous, as is the tiny perspex wind deflector.  Helmet or at least goggles definitely …

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2017 INFINITI Prototype 9 Makes Retro Pebble Beach Debut

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A 1940s racer for modern day?  How about one with an all-electric driveline and single-seater cabin? The perfect fit for the world’s most prestigious concours: Pebble Beach. Infiniti just whipped the silk capes off their Prototype 9.  And boy will it stop you in your tracks. Even the ‘endless road’ Infiniti badge is expressed artfully.  It now stands proud atop the hood edge like a radiator cap.  The waterfall front grille is slightly tacky on first glance but does make sense.  When viewed directly head-on, the shape of this sunken grille matches the wide jawline of the Q60 sports coupe, …

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Supercar for Civic Cash? Meet the $22k Daytona Coupe

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What’s the catch? How can this 390HP, mid-front V8 powered legend be so cheap and so clean? If an original racing Shelby Daytona Coupe, this machine would be one of a handful of survivors and carry a price into the millions.  This core design’s handling brilliance, speed and reliability are what won it its Daytona nickname, after all. So this raspberry beret is a replica. So what? The advantage of being a good, semi-authorized replica is that it is (nearly) brand new.  And built by Factory Five versus an individual kitter. Imagine rumbling up to your local cars n’ coffee …

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Goodwood 2017 Festival of Speed – Hillclimb Mega Gallery in 200 Photos

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Goodwood is as glorious as ever this year! It seems like every supercar that matters is at Lord March’s estate – along with thousands of adoring fans. The clear stars of the show are the glorious Ford GT and the Bugatti Chiron. And of course the Lamborghini Centenario and the Aston Martin Vulcan.   Don’t forget the new Pagani Huayra BC. And clearly the McLaren 720S and world-premiere 570S cabrio are worth seeing in action. Don’t forget the fresh-facelifted Maserati GranTurismo or a back-to-back look at the Panamera’s new choice of sedan or wagon bodystyles.  They’re all represented here! Watching …

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~1936 Delahaye 135 S Competition Roadster at Amelia [35 Photos]

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There is something really spectacular about “finding” a priceless exotic car just parked silently.  Slid into a space like any Camry, locked and left alone for however long.  The location helps.  This back lot is behind the Amelia Island Ritz residences.  On Concours weekend.  Which does tend to help the selection. WHen the car in question is the stunningly fast, low and lean Delahaye 135S Competition Roadster!? The patina of this car — its dull paintwork, its myriad road rash scars, and its unpolished brass grille details — shows it is likely authentic.  Sick, perhaps, but we thought it might …

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2017 Renault-Sport R.S.01 GT3 by Gtronix McChip-DKR

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One of our favorite engine tuners from Germany is heading out onto the racetrack!  Big news for the growing McChip-DKR best known for making unstoppable turbos! The 2017 RenaultSport RS01 GT3 looks like it might not need much extra boost — but the track will be the judge.   2017 Renault-Sport R.S.01 GT3 by Gtronix McChip-DKR   MCCHIP-DKR made A STUNNING ANNOUNCEMENT Secrets are made in order to be disclosed in a well timed manner. Mcchip-dkr in Mechernich recently revealed a big surprise with regards to the upcoming racing season 2017: A team named Gtronix-mcchip-dkr will be launched in the …

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This Exact 1952 Mercedes-Benz W194 Won Lemans

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Just parked up on the lawn in front of the Mercedes stand!  Read into the details of W194 number 7 and you quickly learn this exact car won LeMans. Impressive!   Of course, this tanker aero design hides a Super Light alloy spaceframe with giant structural sills.  Escape was via the future-icon gullwing doors. This car went on to race at the Nurburgring and as a timer in the Carrera Panamericana.   1952 Mercedes-Benz W194 Number 7

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1980 Lancia BETA Monte Carlo Turbo at Amelia Island [22 Photos]

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This Group 5 rally racer won the WRC championship in the silhouette category for two years running for 1980 and 1981.  It was a bleeding-edge technological showpiece that ran a carbonfiber chassis and part-kevlar bodywork. Great to meet this stunner at the Amelia Island Concours 2017, where it actually lives locally in the stunning collection of John Campion. We had the pleasure of seeing its home garage before the concours and almost had to sit down from excitement.  So much Martini Racing and so many authentic Lancia race-winners! The Beta Monte Carlo turbo’s most dramatic angle and aero needs came …

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1965 Prince INFINITI R380 – First-Ever USA Show for Porsche-Beating Racer [50 Photos]

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Infiniti has adopted the design and sports credentials of the Prince marque from its glory days of the 1950s and 1960s.  The firm is best known for creating the Skyline and was acquired by Nissan in 1966 — the same year a pair of these stunning, magnificent beasts took one-two in the Japanese Grand Prix.  It was a pride match for the locals in Japan.  Porsche 904s and 906s beating Skyline front-engine racers on Japanese tracks that inspired the entire vehicle.  Mid-engine endurance racer. With a 1964 Brabham spaceframe to start from, the company crafted its ultra-shrieking straight six making 200 …

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2017 Porsche 911 GT3RS – 180MPH Ride Along

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  Hearing and feeling the 911 GT3 RS pull a smooth-yet-violent launch start followed by savage fullthrottle all the way to 180-mph was a life highlight we got to enjoy this weekend. Granted, the queasy stomach feeling from all the launch and acceleration G-force did ruin me for mere mortal vehicles. Even Focus RS felt a but slow getting out of this Porsche. The other most memorable element?  The ring in your ears from the boxer six at full chat.  Not sure if it is the fuel pumps or the simple engine harmonics — but this is a heavenly sound …

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1957 Jaguar XKSS 716 at Amelia Island Concours 16

1957 Jaguar XKSS 716 at Amelia Island Concours [41 Photos]

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A ‘racecar for the road’ is almost cliche these days in how often it describes sports and supercars.  But this XKSS was a revolution in its time: it added bumpers, road lights and a luggage rack to the LeMans-dominating speed of the XKD.  Of, and a windshield, softtop and side glass! But beyond these detail mods, the XKSS is pure racecar. In person, its otherworldly curves and body flow are spectacular to behold.  The curt front end metal wraps the oval intake and glassed-in headlamps with no flab whatsoever.  Just like a bubble flying through the universe.  But this bubble …

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Amelia Island 2017 – 1930 Alfa Romeo 1750GS Testa Fissa [27 Photo]

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Here is a stunning racer that stands proud even in a line of million-dollar one-offs at Amelia Island Concours 2017. What really spoke to us about this Alfa Romeo is its artful, graceful and yet quite serious racing bodywork.  The chassis is fully shrouded for aero smoothness — right down to the louvered frame section down below, covered arrow steel for the front suspension, and teardrop tail with zero shutlines.  It is basically a one-piece clamshell for most of the metal!  Even the windshield is a nice flip of metalwork. Quite special in the flesh.  This car raced extensively in …

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2019 Aston Martin AM-RB 001 Hypercar Nearing Production

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  Aston just revealed some major technical partners for their new flagship hypercar program!  Paired with Red Bull Advanced Technologies (and their awesome F1 wind tunnel!), Aston Martin is prepping the run of 150 savage road cars for arrival in calendar 2019.  As you’d expect, the technical suppliers list reads like racing royalty: Cosworth engine, Ricardo box and Multimatic tub. Unlike the latest plugin fashion, the AM RB1 is set to be a shrieking purebred of a racer. Not even forced induction for this savage beast. Just mid-engine V12 power and extreme aero/grip. Love it. Favorite design elements include the …

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2017 BMW M6 GTLM – 19th BMW Art Car by John Baldessari Will Race DAYTONA

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The BMW Art cars are best as real-world racers. Taking corners in a future legend has appeal today just like it did when the first BMW Art Car emerged from the Paris office around 1973. This latest racing artwork, the 19th in the series? A 2017 M6 GTLM, naturally. The biggest, baddest BMW racecar ever made.  A vehicle so shouty on throttle that the artist put the letters F A S T right along both flanks. 2017 BMW M6 GTLM – 19th BMW Art Car by John Baldessari World premiere of BMW Art Car by John Baldessari at Art Basel …

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2017 Mazda RT24-P Revealed Ahead of Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona

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I love endurance prototype racecars. They take truly concept-level ingenuity in aero and grip to the streets. Well, to the road courses and banked ovals of the racing circuits!  This new RT24-P from Mazda is a pretty magnificent specimen for blending on-brand design cues with the mandates of any race class. The RT24-P is designed to dominate the top class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship — a new class called DPi, for Daytona Prototype International. Certainly not quick or catchy names in this new series.  But hey, it is an endurance challenge! The RT24-P name itself means the “Road …

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Hardtop Jannarelly JD1 Headlines Upcoming RISE: Race The Future Console Game

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  Our lovefest with the Jannarelly JD1 continues today with a look at the car as a hardtop racer versus a street-legal roadster.  Similar to how the car would be specced for an FIA GT3 or GT4 race class, this preview is of both the car and the game!  RISE: Race The Future is set for release in a few months. Now, the only question is… shall we call this the JD2?  Or JD1 Hardtop?  JD1 Daytona?!     2017 Jannarelly JD1 Hardtop   RISE: Race The Future is the upcoming video game from the studio VD-DEV renown for their …

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1962 Ferrari 268 SP by Fantuzzi – RM Monterey 2016 Highlight

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One of the first-ever midengine Ferrari racers went across the block in Cali this August. Looks like it was a no-sale, curiously. A high bar was surely set: we’d estimating the reserve was around $25-million.  Perhaps 35. So it is still seeking a new home.  Home for its freaky beauty, snarky nose intakes and special-prototype LMP1 provenance. Sold or not, we’re elated to see this 1962 268SP in the sunlight in all its glory. RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2016 Lot 240 1962 Ferrari 268 SP by Fantuzzi Chassis no. 0798 Engine no. 0798 Gearbox no. 6 Estimate Available Upon Request Please note that Internet …

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2017 Jannarelly JD1 Arrives in USA! Rear-Engine and Road-Legal from $90k

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Very exciting news today! The shockingly beautiful mid-engine Jannarelly JD1 is now in low-volume production, and coming to not just USA tracks near you… but also the roads there and back! This marks a big difference between Radical, Ariel and a few other boutique supercars.  The US market is both a holy grail and a huge barrier-to-entry in the supercar business.  If your car can’t be sold in the US, you have to cut volume projections in half. Thrilling news then that Jannarelly has a new US distributor established in VanDouble.  This Bedford Hills, New York firm promises hands-on help …

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1961 Chaparral 1 Prototype – RM Sothebys Monterey 2016 Highlight

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Here is a car that might be one of the most important American racers of all time.  Not for its winning record or legendary value… but simply for its rarity and inspired engineering clarity. This was Chaparral’s answer to the Shelby Cobra, but faster and lighter and far more aerodynamic. Looks like the Chaparral Prototype 1 was a no-sale in Monterey/Pebble Beach auctions this year, for unknown reasons. Perhaps just too much of an insiders-only type of machine versus the sure-to-appreciate vehicles who are able to successfully command a million plus. Check out the official RM bio of the car …

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2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA TRD Pro Trophy Truck – Best in Baja?

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Toyota Signs Championship Off-Road Racer BJ Baldwin to Multi-Year Sponsorship Two-Time Baja 1000 Champion Reveals Tundra TRD Pro Trophy Truck at AMA Supercross Finals May 07, 2016 LAS VEGAS, Nevada, May 7, 2016— Before a roaring crowd of AMA Supercross fans, Toyota announced its sponsorship of BJ Baldwin, off-road racing superstar and mastermind behind the successful #Recoil video franchise. “Ballistic” BJ, an off-roader who has won the grueling Baja 1000 twice without the assistance of a second driver, will join Toyota’s diverse roster of sponsored athletes and will field a Tundra TRD Pro Trophy Truck in the SCORE International and …

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VIDEO: 2017 Ford Focus RS RX – Project RX Episode 1 – Design and Development

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            FORD PERFORMANCE RELEASES “PROJECT RX”: BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE FORD FOCUS RS RX DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY The Ford Focus RS RX was designed to be the ultimate rallycross vehicle in the FIA World Rallycross Championship. Collaborating with UK-based M-Sport and Hoonigan Racing Division, Ford Performance engineers implemented the same high-tech instruments and procedures used on production vehicles to develop the Focus RS RX for competition. The first of a four-part documentary, episode one of “Project RX” highlights the design and development of the vehicle between Ford Performance headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, and the M-Sport …

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$10 Grand Per Pound! 1968 Ferrari 275 GTS/4 NART Spider = 821 New Miatas?!

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This Ferrari tops the estimate lists of the upcoming RM Sotheby’s auction in Monaco next month.  The experts predict a total of about 20-million Euros, which comes to about $23-million in US monies. The scale and performance of this V12 icon are remarkably close to a 2016 MX-5 Mazda Miata.  So we thought it would be fun to show how much each costs per pound.  The results are shocking, to say the least. First off, the Miata is about 12 bucks a pound.  It weighs 100 pounds more than the Ferrari, but costs only about $28k in total. If we …

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Kiawah 2016 Highlights – 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder – Ingram Collection

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An authenticity check is very helpful before falling in love with the first 550 Spyder you find out in the real world! And once you find that original, you have to drink in its details throughout.  Smoother than a porcelain lion-claw bathtub, with aircraft rivets throughout its cabin and even lightweight drilled mechanicals.  Check out that handbrake!  The holes reduced its total weight. The carved-out rear decklid is perhaps just as striking as the vehicle’s tiny size.  Between the semi-sharp rear fender-tops, the rear metal sinks deep and low to the ground.  Stunning. Kiawah 2016 Highlights – 1955 Porsche 550 …

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Kiawah Concours 2016 - 1990 Jaguar R9R aka XJR-15 10

Kiawah Concours 2016 – 1990 Jaguar R9R aka XJR-15

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This R9R Jaguar looks absolutely current next to cars 25 years younger. That might be the vehicle’s huge achievment over the XJ220 that would follow this 50-unit special’s production run in the early 1990s. The XJR-15 as shown here also delivered on some goals the XJ220 could not.  Primarily, running a 450HP V12 midship, while the XJ220 reverted to a turbo six after the big 12-cylinder could not be fit in its giant tail section, somehow. Kiawah Concours 2016 – 1990 Jaguar R9R aka XJR-15  

Gran Turismo Red Bull X2014 Fan Car – Genius Racer… Now in 4D, Desktop Size

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Red Bull’s prototype racecars for Gran Turismo are some of the most influential looks at the future of racing, and have been since the X2010 and X2014 challenges.  A four-pack of concept vehicles was the result of those efforts, with the machines raceable in the game. Because GT5 and GT6 have such intense details in their physics simulator algorithms, you really can get a sense of each vehicle’s strengths and weaknesses on track.  You become extremely familiar with their behavior at the limit — like a true racing scenario.  It sounds like a cliche to say, but GT6 is that …

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RM Monaco 2016 – 1971 March 711 F1 Car – Scored Second-Place in Monaco Gran Prix

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What March lacks today in brand recognition, it more than made up for in its prime via engineering brilliance. You even get that sense looking at this F1 racer today.  Its aero is intense, but not a defining element of the car.  The glory in the March 711 would be mostly left to driver skill.  Massive rubber all around was the key to rapid corner exits for this car, much more than its primitive wings in the nose and tail.  The oval aero plane in front earned the nickname Spitfire as well as ‘tea tray’ out on the GP circuit. While …

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RM Monaco 2016 – 1969 MG MGC GTS Sebring

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Generally speaking, the more acronyms after a car’s name the better. It usually means it is some rare, high-performance variant that may or may not have even been road-legal. And the best possible indication that speed is a sure thing?   If that long name ends with a famous racetrack! Think 599 GTB Fiorano, 365GTB/4 Daytona… This MGC GTS Sebring is the most intense MG we’ve ever laid eyes on!  The black and gold livery is lovely, as is the widebody, wide rubber and wide-open throttle in this featherweight slugger.   1969 MG MGC GTS Sebring RM Sotheby’s Monaco 14 …

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RM Monaco 2016 – 1993 Alfa Romeo RZ by Zagato

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The Roadster Zagato is perhaps even more unique and special than its SZ (Sprint Zagato) hardtop sibling!  The styling is truly otherworldly for a production model.  Performance was pretty brisk, too.  A 210HP V6 drove the back wheels via a five-speed transaxle, ensuring good traction and weight distribution. 1993 Alfa Romeo RZ by Zagato RM Sotheby’s Monaco 14 May 2016 1993 Alfa Romeo RZ by Zagato Without Reserve Chassis no. ZAR16200003002164 Serial no. 145 Engine no. AK5150100138 Photo Credit: Tim Scott ©2016 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s Type ES-30. 210 bhp, 2,959 cc DOHC V-6 engine with electronic fuel injection, five-speed …

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RM Monaco 2016 – 1965 Fiat 600 Multipla – First 7-Seat Minivan?

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No reserve for the auction of this delightful Fiat Multipla in cobalt blue over white. The origins of the minivan are widely debated, but this three-row machine is damn close to nailing the template.  Albeit with rear-engine, rear-drive layout.  That engine in the trunk would be a godsend for summer vacations — where a front-engine car’s tremendous heat would have the cabin near-boiling after a few hours on the autostrada. 1965 Fiat 600 Multipla RM Sotheby’s Monaco 14 May 2016 1965 Fiat 600 Multipla Without Reserve Chassis no. 100D.108 126736 Engine no. 100D.008 4541 Photo Credit: Tim Scott ©2016 Courtesy …

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Camden Thrasher Interview 6

Behind the Lens with Camden Thrasher! David Arnouts Interviews Famous Race Photog

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Race Photographer Camden Thrasher tells CRD’s David Arnouts about all the blood, sweat and tears that go into capturing iconic motorsport moments.   Question: You’ve just recently wrapped up Sebring, how is the excitement for the season building up? Personally is there anything specific you enjoyed most about the race? Thrasher: I’m a big fan of endurance events, especially ones with great racing like the Daytona finish for Corvette Racing, then followed up by the competition in Sebring; it’s a great way to start the season. To actually be there, to experience it, and shoot (photos of) it is awesome. Even cooler is …

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RoboRace Launches Driverless Formula E Series – Signs Daniel Simon as Lead Designer

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Formula E is quite a hit so far, with a global schedule and many new entries for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.  Even Jaguar is signed up for next year! These McLaren-powered electric racecars have overcome much skepticism already as a green F1 rival.  And they are taking things much further today. RoboRace.  RoboCar. RoboWin!? Daniel Simon is kindof an asshole but is a genius designer.  His book Cosmic Motors is visually outstanding, if VERY light on actual story value or depth of universe. Put it this way: if it were a PDF, you’d be through it in under 90 …

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RM Monaco 2016 – 1961 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I Works Rally

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  You are a rare, delicate flower.  Yes.  This is widely known. But you are nowhere near as rare — or well-preserved! — as this rally-winning Austin Healey 3000! =] RM Sotheby’s Monaco Coinciding with the Monaco Historic Grand Prix Le Sporting Monte-Carlo, Monaco 14 May 2016 http://www.rmsothebys.com/mc16/monaco/lots/ RM Monaco 2016 – 1961 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I Works Rally

RM Monaco 2016 – 1928 Bugatti Type 40 Boattail Speedster

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It is hard to fathom sometimes that cars like this are sitting quietly in wealthy garages around the world.  Museum-quality icon or 1993 Mercury Sable?  Which shall we drive today, honey? RM Sotheby’s Monaco Coinciding with the Monaco Historic Grand Prix Le Sporting Monte-Carlo, Monaco 14 May 2016 http://www.rmsothebys.com/mc16/monaco/lots/ RM Monaco 2016 – 1928 Bugatti Type 40 Boattail Speedster

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RM Monaco 2016 – 1977 Chevron B36 LMP1 Spider

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This was the magnificent time in top-drawer auto racing where the wedge came to life. Sideways on track, spitting flames from their open rear ends! It was intuitive, low-tech aero.  But race-proven and glorious to behold, then as now. The LMP1 and SPider descriptors above are ours – the car actually competed in primarily North American Can-Am races, we believe.  But the sentiment and bleeding-edge tech certainly makes it LeMans worthy — whatever the classes were dubbed in 1977. RM Sotheby’s Monaco Coinciding with the Monaco Historic Grand Prix Le Sporting Monte-Carlo, Monaco 14 May 2016 http://www.rmsothebys.com/mc16/monaco/lots/ RM Monaco 2016 – 1977 …

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RM Monaco 2016 – 1977 MV Agusta 750S America

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This is beyond even the rush of speed, the sun in your face and a mechanical symphony down below.  This MV Augusta 750S America has crossed over — into true art.  It may be recalled as one of the purest expressions in all of 20th-century design and engineering.   RM Sotheby’s Monaco Coinciding with the Monaco Historic Grand Prix Le Sporting Monte-Carlo, Monaco 14 May 2016 http://www.rmsothebys.com/mc16/monaco/lots/ RM Monaco 2016 – 1977 MV Agusta 750S America

RM Monaco 2016 - 2004 Aston Martin DB AR1 by Zagato 11

RM Monaco 2016 – 2004 Aston Martin DB AR1 by Zagato

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There are no words deeper than this Beluga black Aston DB AR1.   RM Sotheby’s Monaco Coinciding with the Monaco Historic Grand Prix Le Sporting Monte-Carlo, Monaco 14 May 2016 http://www.rmsothebys.com/mc16/monaco/lots/ 2004 Aston Martin DB AR1 by Zagato

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RM Monaco 2016 – 1984 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 Evolution 1 Group B

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Fabulous Pug and beautiful livery — this may be a top earner for all-time Peugeots at auction.   RM Sotheby’s Monaco Coinciding with the Monaco Historic Grand Prix Le Sporting Monte-Carlo, Monaco 14 May 2016 http://www.rmsothebys.com/mc16/monaco/lots/ 1984 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 Evolution 1 Group B

RM Monaco 2016 - 1982 Renault 5 Turbo Group 4 Rally Car 10

RM Monaco 2016 – 1982 Renault 5 Turbo Group 4 Rally Car

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No, we do not just put together these auction pieces when too distracted or tired to write up a full piece. And we resent the implication! Okay, there might be some truth to that.  But these cars are special enough to warrant a post– with or without color commentary.. RM Sotheby’s Monaco Coinciding with the Monaco Historic Grand Prix Le Sporting Monte-Carlo, Monaco 14 May 2016 http://www.rmsothebys.com/mc16/monaco/lots/ RM Monaco 2016 – 1982 Renault 5 Turbo Group 4 Rally Car

Lamborghini TRACK and PLAY – Telemetry VIDEO APP Is New Accessori Originali

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The latest hotness in the POV track videos is …. as always, the production values! And the actual car being flogged!  Or the host. More and more these days, it is also the data, too. No longer just for LeMans laptop boffins, the real-time data on a car’s throttle, G-force, brakes and steering lock are extremely helpful for entertainment value and for driver’s ed. These are no sophomoric effort, though: the new Track and Play App for iOS lets Aventador and Huracan owners download their telemetry data over wifi, then sync that data back onto their drive videos easily. This new …

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900HP, ~1.7s 2016 Porsche 919 Hybrid – Upgraded Aero, Revised 400HP eBoost Detailed

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Porsche is keeping its cards close to their chest entering the 2016 FIA WEC race series, with numerous tweaks to the car all shrouded in a bit of mystery. Per usual, then, for the 2015 LeMans winners! The rules have changed for the top LMP1 race class in 2016, allowing even less gasoline in the overall mix, but upping the amount of electric power teams can use. As such, the 2.0-liter V4 turbo engine in the 919 Hybrid makes less power than last year in most circumstances: from “well above” 500HP to “below 500HP.” Opaque enough for you?  =] Total power …

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2016 Toyota TS050 Hybrid – World Debut at HTTT – New V6TT, 1000HP eAWD Racecar

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Toyota GAZOO racing just revealed its 2016 competitor for the highest honor in racing: the WEC LeMans series. This TS050 might look familiar but is packing some radical changes throughout.  The most crucial appears to be a swap to direct-injection for an all-new 2.4-liter V6TT providing the main power to the back wheels. The other big change is a move from supercapacitors for the regen braking to a more conventional, and much higher-output, lithium-ion battery pack system.  Toyota calls the new power pack the 8MJ, and notes it required a full redesign of the entire vehicle, including the transaxle transmission …

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2017 Acura NSX GT3 – V6TT, RWD Racecar is FIA-Ready (+Video)

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Acura just ripped the covers off its fully race-ready NSX GT3 racecar in New York. And the most intriguing elements of the machine?  Perhaps the total drivetrain revamp versus the AWD, triple-motor SH-AWD production model. FIA GT3 rules do not have a hybrid slot yet, so this NSX GT3 swaps its clever electric motors for pure turbocharged thrust. The main engine is the same as the production NSX, but the rear-drive conversion brings in a sequential six-speed paddle-shifter and likely some very clever racing differential tech. Acura plans to race this car in FIA GT3 classes starting in fall 2016, …

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Design Talent Showcase – Alfa Romeo AW30 by Olcay Tuncay Karabulut

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  Some fantastic, out-of-this-world designs to feature today from Turkey! Olcay Karabulut’s Alfa Romeo AW30 design takes a look into the future of renewable-powered racecars.  And not just coal-fired EVs… this AW30 hopes to hit 200-mph around the world’s racetracks thanks to two constants: sun and wind. The solar component is intended as the solution under 100-mph, after which it synthesizes energy via dedicated turbines.  This might sound far-fetched, but is certainly worth exploring.  If only for the unique design solutions it inspired. The proportions take a radical shift: much longer and lower than current F1 cars.  Next, the intakes …

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Inside the Dream Factory – McLaren Track22 Product Roadmap

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McLaren Automotive is a clear favorite in the supercar world.  Just look at the rocket-like launch trajectory of the firm in just six years!  It is causing serious pain to rivals Ferrari and Lamborghini, all while delivering great pleasure to its growing owner base.  The launches come fast and furious from Woking, however, and it can be confusing.  Or, just irritating… depending on how recently your new McLaren was superseded by an even newer, hotter model. So it is good to hear that there is method to the rapid product rollouts, ultra-short model cycles of McLaren Cars. Track22 is what McLaren …

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2016 McLaren 570S GT4 and Sprint Unleash Extreme Aero, De-Luxed Cabins

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McLaren just revealed its racecar versions of the new 570S: the FIA-approved GT4 model that is ready to go racing worldwide right from the factory.  And the real star?  The 570S Sprint~! The Sprint is our favorite because it is so pure.  The GT4 car’s aero upgrades, de-restricted engine and exhausts, Pirelli slicks and beefed-up race suspension…. but without the GT4’s standard roll cage, fire extinguisher and other mandatory elements.  Such things like power restrictors are needed for the GT4 class… but not in the 570S Sprint!   That means less weight for trackday individuals versus race teams.   Estimated weight …

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700HP, 2.5s 2017 REZVANI Beast X – Wild Carbon Wings, Monster Boost for Street-Legal Racecar

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You are being hunted. The Rezvani Beast X is out for blood.  That much is clear from its 2.5-second 60-mph sprint and tail-out track action! This upgraded model is debuting in Dallas this week with a shockingly sexy carbon-fiber aero kit, a new engine and even optional paddle-shift for the 2017 modelyear. The California team will build just five of these X Beasts for sale worldwide, with pricing from $325k and the order books open now.  (The Beast Speedster is the car pictured here in grey, while the X is previewed in a few of the red photos — but not all …

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2016 VUHL 05 Updated for London Motor Show

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A refreshed VUHL 05 is now available for global trackday aces with pricing from around $100k for this cross between a Lotus and Radical. The UK sportscar industry is not only an inspiration for this trackday special, but also a target for its dual-use configuration. VUHL hopes to have certification for English roads in the near future. But even though road and track are both viable in a VUHL… one is far more heavily emphasized. A completely smooth underbody is race-ready, as is the doorless racing frame below the skin. You can guess how fast the 3.7-second VUHL is on …

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Apollo Arrow Geneva Hypercar 8

1000HP 2017 APOLLO ARROW – Full Tech Specs, Animations and 50 Photos

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Hypercar buyers are spoiled for choice these days.  But the Apollo Arrow warrants a second look even among Chiron deposit-holders. Apollo is an all-new expression of the Gumpert brand and core knowledge. The relaunch was in January and the coming-out party definitely in Geneva! Power and performance are insane. Race-ready — for real.  The car is FIA-homologated for numerous race classes in exactly the same spec as the Euro road-legal stunner.  Airjacks and roll cages included! But let’s take a closer look first at the obviously hot, shamelessly whipped and sliced new design.  From the front it catches you by surprise. …

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2017 Abarth 124 Spider 10s

2017 Abarth 124 Spider – Boosted Turbo, Shouty Exhaust and Butch Body Mods

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Stunning new Fiat from Abarth at Geneva this year — proving the in-house tuner is still a big asset in the brand’s expansion worldwide.  The Mirafiori speed demons have wasted no time upgrading the design, performance and panache of the adorable baby Fiat: the new 124 Spider. From its cute looks emerges yet another harsh, focused look at what Abarth does best.  The scorpion logo makes sense the first time you fire up one of their specials: pops and brummy exhaust and engine notes that recall Maserati much more than Mazda. Then you turn to see… and are shocked that …

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Best of Geneva – 2016 Abarth 124 Rally Prototype – 300HP Kicks Off 2017 Abarth Racing Revival

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  In case the hot new Abarth Fiat 124 Spider were not enough to get your heart revving, Abarth Racing has brought along an even hotter version! A rear-drive rally racecar that started life as a ragtop!?  Sounds like a winner to us.  And it definitely looks like a winner too. A slightly raised ride height, boosted engine putting down 300Hp, plus a locking rear differential promise exciting, tail-out action to rally fans next year. Custom fender extensions, sill extensions and brake air vents behind the back axle speak to this car’s gravel-slinging dreams.  As does its gigantic, fire-spitting single …

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1951 Ferrari 340 America Barchetta by Touring (RHD) 18

1951 Ferrari 340 America Barchetta by Touring – Surviving RHD LeMans Racer Shows Humble Origins

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How far Ferrari has come! What started out with a genius 2.0-liter V12 engine that was ultra compact yet also super powerful.  The engine roared its way to the top of the racing world by the end of the 1950s, and on to a 5-billion-dollar IPO for just a slim minority of the firm’s shares in 2015?   Now a global luxury juggernaut with brand recognition to rival Coca-Cola, and desirability up there with Apple? Yes to all.  And quite a rare display of modesty and humility from Ferrari. It is intriguing to see how basic and workmanlike the first few …

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RM Monaco 2016 Preview – 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution – Animated Bodywork Peelaways

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The 911 GT1 Evo is a rare sight indeed, and especially so with its bodywork intricately removed for a photo session. This Evo version of the GT1 LeMans prototype integrated the new 996-generation front lamps, and a slightly revised tail over its first year on the track in 1996. 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution RM Sotheby’s  Monaco 2016 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution Chassis no. GT1 993-117 Engine no. M86/60-109 Gearbox no. G96/80/117 Photo Credit: Chris Wilson ©2016 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

1986 Lotus 98T/3 F1 Car of Ayrton Senna – Animated 3D Cutaway by Roy Scorer, Tech Illustrator Extraordinaire

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  Ed’s Intro:  Please welcome a brilliant new contributor: Roy Scorer. Roy shares a detailed, step-by-step demonstration of his artistic process here — and it is a fascinating display, indeed! Why is this all so special?  Let’s zoom out for a moment, and know that even in 2016 and with unlimited processing power… 3D ‘cutaway’ technical illustrations of a car’s engine, chassis and mechanicals are all done by hand.  CAD-CAM etc is lovely for surface details, but is singular in that purpose.  To actually “see” inside a car takes near-surreal understanding of every component, from every angle.  Even after photographing …

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2016 Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE Complements V12 Racecars; Dismal Results Expected

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  Oh, poor Aston. Just after the DB11 leaked online the other day, we have a fresh look at the factory race team’s 2016 endurance racing competitor: a heavily revised V8 Vantage GTE.  This new entry complements a pair of V12 Vantages that are already on the docket for the Nurburgring 24H race later this Springtime. But woe is me.  This car just can’t seem to catch a break. Long ago, other race teams would have packed it in, headed home and nursed their wounds.  Only to return once ready to compete. Not Aston.  They have stayed in the racing circuit …

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PRIOR DESIGN Ferrari PD458 AeroKit 1

PRIOR DESIGN Ferrari PD458 AeroKit – Looking Gorgeous on New Rosso Corsa Example

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New photoshoot of the PD458 aerokit from Prior Design! This time, we see the non-widebody version with a set of lovely 21-inch VOSSEN VPS-306 forged wheels. Continental tires and a slight height drop from the H&R springs complete the look.  Clearly, this aerokit is a winner with or without the extended PD458WB fenders. Check out the latest lipstick-red hotness — and how-to-buy info — below..   PRIOR DESIGN Ferrari PD458 AeroKit – Red Prior Design can make some of the craziest, most-exotic customs look absolutely flawless. Truly factory-fresh in appearance, the Prior Design upgrades are a fabulous treat on any supercar. But the …

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2016 SEAT Leon CUPRA 290 – GTI-Beating Coupe, Hatch and Wagon Gain New Sport Exhaust and Power Bump

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A new sport exhaust for the five-door and SC Cupras for 2016 opens up a shouty new bellow on throttle — and ramps up max power by about 10 ponies. The wagon appears to miss out on the new sport exhaust — but is bumped up to 290 all the same.  Vmax?  156MPH!  0-60?  5.7-seconds on its best day, and 6.2-ish like clockwork on other days.  Both are a half-second beyond what the fastest GTI can deliver. As before on the Cupra 280, this wagon/coupe/hatch family is the quickest front-drive production car to ever lap the Nurburgring.  Standard LED lighting all …

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2016 Porsche 911 GT3 R – Road Car, Daytona Racer + Christophorus ‘Black Magic’ Sebring Test Feature

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The official Porsche magazine Christophorus has a terrific piece in their latest issue about the shakedown testing of the heavily-revised 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 R around the hot, humid Sebring racetrack in Florida.  Dubbed ‘Black Magic,’ the article follows the Porsche customer racing team through a marathon 30-hour race test late in calendar 2015 — ahead of the car’s entry into numerous race series worldwide in 2016. We’re excited to share the unpainted test car in its raw glory — but also some extra cool perspective on the 2016 GT3 R endurance racecar. What is that?  A few snaps of the …

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2016 Toyota RAV4 SE Launches Silver-Accented Style, New RALLY RACECAR!

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Famed race driver Ryan Millen has adopted a hell of a challenge for 2016!  Race to win in a front-wheel-drive RAV4 SE using a bone-stock 2.5-liter four-cylinder making just 176 horsepower. Millen and his co-pilot (fiancé Christine!) seem like the perfect ambassadors for a Rav4 racing adventure.  He will man the controls as she co-drives with extremely detailed trail notes all along the way.  Such limited power and traction in the 2WD-Open Class take much of the mechanical innovations out of the normal WRC race calculus.  The races then become much more about driver skill, unbreakable reliability and extreme co-driver directions. …

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Top 10 SUPRA-Tastic Design Details – Toyota FT-1 Concept + 88 NEW Photos

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NEW FT-1 photos?  Yes ALL NEW…? Sortof. We posted these originally on laptop in Santa Cruz, and the results were iffy.  So we went back to the originals, starting again and bringing the FT-1’s details to high-res glory! The most striking things about the FT-1 in person are its captivating beauty, extremely long-hooded proportions, and intense aero detailing. A stunning car. Let’s appreciate its top 10 design details from up close. The design of the FT-1 is visibly alive.  Functional ventwort in a dozen places around all side brings the wild, swooping fenders and hood into sharp relief.  The aero cuts and ground-effect details make …

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2016 McLaren 650S GT3 SWEEPS Bathhurst Debut! But Race Photos Are 70s Sepia Hell

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    Always great to launch an updated racecar with a first-place finish in its debut! That’s the story with the new 650S GT3, which just won the Bathhurst 12 Hour. And not just won: the car destroyed its rivals.  McLaren sums it up well… “650S GT3 claimed the clean sweep over the course of the weekend with pole position, fastest lap, overall race win and a new lap record.” Hard to beat that concise summary of the new 650S GT3’s debut glories.  Almost as hard as it will be for its GT3 rivals.  ONE PROBLEM: McLaren GT’s Over-processed Photos …

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rELAX yOUR jAW! DS VIRGIN Scores First SeXY ePRIX Win! Formula E Action GIFs + Private Track Practice Video

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You got dreams? We got dreams. You got big budget, and passion too? How big? Yes indeed. To both.   Welcome to DS Virgin Racing!     The crew at DS Virgin racing are popping bottles tonight down in Buenos Aires.  Bottles of Dom as well as Deep Woods! Thrilled to welcome Virgin into the racer’s winner’s circle. Upon a scratch to the surface of the new Citroen DS Automobiles racing venture, your scribe found a virtual fountain of youth.  Everything one could ever dream of is available for media-digitization. Hence, the three=hour love affair that is leaving my two …

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2016 McLaren 650S GT3 – Geneva Prelaunch + Photo Comparo Insights vs. 2015 Racecar

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GT3 is the closest thing we have to an authentic battle-of-the-supercars — and demands a great amount of manufacturer attention.  The learnings on track with these cars are some of the quickest tech intros to road cars.  Advancements in aero and drivetrain behaviour on track actually translate directly to a street superstar — without just the lip service most race series pay to this tech transfer. And best of all, it is a two-way street.  Better turbo and cooling settings on the road for the 675LT have fed directly into the updated 2016 racecar from McLaren GT. McLaren below confirms …

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2016 Toyota GAZOO Racecars & Series Preview – New TS050 LMP1 Revamp, WRC Yarii + New C-HR Racing and RC GT3

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  Toyota Motorsport GmbH is now Toyota GAZOO Racing — with the new Euro-based entity bringing much of Toyota and Lexus’ racing efforts under one roof. The 2016 season outline is mindboggling!  Lots of new racecars and globetrotting race series.  We have a look at new rally cars: — Land Cruiser rally truck — Yaris WRC — Yaris GRMN — GT86 And new endurance racers in the form of two upgraded Lexus RC’s, a GT86 and even a new Nurbirgring entry for this year: the C-HR Racing.  No sight of this production version of the concept seen in 2015, nor …

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2017 FORD F-150 RAPTOR – 2016 Event Schedule + 33 New Race-Spec GIFs!

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Check out the 10-speed turbonator in ‘factory stock’ race spec! You can here, and see it do its debut jumps at the below race dates.  Check out the latest 60 pics of the production 2017 Raptor in the lower gallery too. First deliveries?  By December first is the rumor…. =] Dates and locations to catch F-150 Raptor racing events this year are as follows: Parker 425, Parker, Arizona, Feb. 4-7           Mint 400, Las Vegas, March 10-14 Laughlin Desert Classic, Laughlin, Nevada, May 5 Vegas to Reno, Nevada, Aug. 17-20 Bluewater Challenge, Parker, Arizona, Sept. 10-Oct. 6 Pahrump Nugget 250, Pahrump, …

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Max Verstappen performs during the F1 Showrun at the Hahnenkamm

Got Grip? Red Bull F1 Car On Snowchains Rips Up Tyrol, Austria Ski Slopes

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You really have to stand back and admire Red Bull sometimes. From a category-defining launch product — a carbonated and canned version of a centuries-old Asian ‘shot’ typically slammed ahead of business meetings — the company has become one of the most iconic sports marketing phenomenons in history. These days, you can love Red Bull for its media empire as much as its new sugar-free flavor specials. Every type of sport has a Red Bull tie-in for 2016, but few are as high-profile as the F1 racing team. How to bring some levity and playfulness back to the slightly down-trodden race …

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RENAULT SPORT Signs INFINITI and Bell & Ross for 2016 F1 Reboot

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This one is a triple play! Renault Sport just outlined its new F1 effort: with the backing of two inhouse favorites: Infiniti and Bell & Ross watches. Infiniti is transitioning from its previous title sponsorship of the Red Bull Racing crew over to Renault, which recently focused on making and selling F1 engines only.  This engine-only focus tossed out many years of Renault-branded F1 cars from the 1970s through the 1990s. Renault Sport is now fielding their own Formula One team proper, and is leaning on Infiniti for help with their hybridization efforts. This comes down to the ERS (energy recovery …

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