711

It's just a number but it's one hell of a number... soon we'll know for sure.


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Giant Racing Week End!

Almost everyone I know with a car is doing some sort of race or track day this Memorial Day week end! Sure there is the Indy 500, the Grand Prix of Turkey, Rally Portugal.... guess DVRs were invented for this week end!

Team Axis will be spreading out: CG will be at Watkins Glen for the big Porsche Club races, no doubt sowing terror amongst the ranks and chasing class records (we expect at least a 2:05 CG!)

The biggest contingent will be at New Jersey Mortorsport Park with NASA. The Freep, Pete and Justin will be there flying the flag in Spec E30 while Stee will be bringing a revised aero package for his GTS3 Boxster.

I will be bringing a car with an actual working engine for the first time since last August and running in the Time Trials. Adil, I'm sure will be running an autocross somewhere with his GT3.

So, you'll forgive us if these pages might be a bit thin this week end, but you can't just write about motorsport, right?

Hoping all you tracktards have fun over the next couple of days,

keep is shiny!

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Safety concerns with Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars.

There is much speculation over the structural integrity of the Gallardo LP 560-4 race cars following the horrific crash at Brno, especially after the publication of still pictures from the incident.

The biggest concern is the fire and we wonder if the cars are equipped with fuel cells or if they have normal street type tanks. But other failures are observable from the pictures: the shoulder harness and possibly the seat. The on board fire suppression failed also ( you can see the extinguisher fly off the car).

The car clearly failed but it must also be said it hit the right at the juncture of the guard rail and the cement pit lane wall and if not for the fire, the driver would have had relatively minor injuries. The first perhaps a freak accident but the second, judging from the pictures, a miracle!

Ironically, the driver may have survived the fire thanks to that harness failure. Look at the picture below and you see his head was outside the car as it came to rest and the rescue operations (such as they were) began....


Lamborghini issued the following statement after the incident.

23 May 2010

LAMBORGHINI BLANCPAIN SUPER TROFEO INCIDENT

Following the incident in yesterday’s round four of the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo, after which the race was cancelled, a unanimous decision has been taken by all teams today to cancel the remainder of the weekend’s racing.

The driver of car number 22, Giorgio Bartocci, was taken to hospital following an accident at the start of the first race of the weekend. He remains in intensive care in hospital in Brno, where his condition is currently stable.

Rounds four, five and six of the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo are therefore officially cancelled.




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Hispania wants the Toyota TF110

Toyota's would have been 2010 car looks faster standing still than some of the cars currently struggling on the back of the grid.

Now it's a hot used car. Never mind Toyota team boss Jon Howett crashed one a bit of hooning fail, that will buff right out!

From Italiaracing:

Everyone wants the Toyota TF110, the two cars the team based in Cologne had planned, but never got on track. There are two copies of the TF110, one has already been damaged, apparently in the courtyard of the German headquarters, the former team principal John Howett had thought to say goodbye to the pit wall with a scoured. Failed badly. The second one is there on display. The remaining sixty people in Cologne, now working as a service. The aerodynamics of Mygale F3, for example, was deepened from them. With the TF110 wanted to participate in the current global Stefan the GP, but Zoran Stefanovic seems to have fallen into disfavor with the Toyota because, as claims Autosprint did not pay the full amount to buy. For this reason the cars are available to the best offerente.

So that's came along Ivone Pinton, of Durango, suggesting interest in viewing and TF110 in these cars can come into F1 if the Russian group which is dealing with will prove practical. But there is an existing F1 team that seems to have the chance to be more specific and use the TF110 and spare parts. Italiaracing knew that the Hispania Jose Ramon Carabante. The Spanish team has just officially break with the Dallara, who designed and built the car which is currently used by them in F1. How should we do for 2011? Here is that Toyota is the best solution and less demanding because the cars ready and certainly needs some development as a world created to address the 2010.

Massimo Costa

Flat Out.

You remember our friends Alex King and Matt Barlow were in Monaco filming the Historic GP. They just released a first teaser for their HD program, Flat Out. More please!



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USGP in Austin: Americans fans say "Show me Cattle"

Safe to say the whole of the F1 world was surprised by the announcement of Austin, Texas as the site of US GP. Most surprised seemed to be people in Austin, including the Mayor and the Chamber of Commerce, characters you would imagine would be at least bit players in an enterprise of this magnitude.

A quick survey of opinion on online forums and assorted gathering places shows US fans are delighted F1 will be back but take a very guarded wait and see attitude with regards to this project in Texas. Indianapolis and USF1 are still sore spots and many are realistic about the daunting challenges ahead for the project. Some brought up the British GP at Donnington fiasco.

The organizers admitted they have yet to purchase land for the facility, I imagine price on 500 acre plus parcels of land has increased significantly this week.

Then there is construction, from scratch, of a world class modern Formula 1 venue in under 24 months.

There is cost, is half a billion dollars unrealistic? Might even be low. State and local government are said to be behind the project but likely just in the form of credits rather than upfront funds. Many have doubts Texans will want to give tax money for a bunch of European millionaires racing cars they don't especially care about.

On the other hand Texas has a huge base of extremely wealthy motorsport enthusiasts. Private money, big corporate money, not a problem there. Motoring fans are just hoping there is cattle to go along this this project's big hat.

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Never Take Safety for Granted. (Warning, very graphic)

Squint a little and it could be Lauda at the Nürburgring all over again, and like that day in '76, only the intervention of fellow racers prevented a Roger Williamson like tragedy in front of the main grandstands.

Brno, Czech Republic, Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo race. Giorgio Bartocci loses control of his Lambo coming onto the front straight and slams right on the end of the pit wall. The car disintegrates and catches on fire.



What happens next is something that should never happen at any race: nothing.

Safety personnel wonder aimlessly around the car with pathetically underpowered extinguishers. Seemingly clueless to the fact a man was inside the car, they seem preoccupied with extinguishing the flames on the asphalt. Eventually you see two frantic men jump into action and finally extract the driver. They were Fabio Babini, his co-driver and a Pirelli test engineer, wearing his driving suit tied around his waist and Manfred Fitzgerald from Lamborghini in shirtsleeves who finally rips the door off the car and drags Bartocci to safety.

It's clear from the video track personnel was clueless in even the most basic of rescue procedures and some had non working fire extinguishers. This happened at an FIA sanctioned event and I would hope calls for a full investigation by a body which prides itself on safety.

The driver is still in intensive care, off a respirator and awake. He suffered broken ribs and a broken leg and has 2nd degree burns on 40% of his body, but happy to be alive!




Omnicorse.it has an interview with Babini about the incident, in Italian but I can translate it later if anyone wants...
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Ferrari 458 Challenge

We're not 100% sure but the car has all the right accessories and the the right tires and it was photographed in the garage at Vallelunga...you draw your own conclusions!

(thanks Debi)


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Pirelli on Pole

While nothing is official yet there are reports Pirelli has made the financially more appetizing proposal in their bid to be supplier of black sticky stuff after Bridgestone's departure. Michelin and Pirelli are said to have both proposed furnishing tires at a cost of 1.5 million euros per team but Pirelli is willing to buy advertising heavily at venues ( and presumably provide mechanics with free calendars!). An F1 contract means venues give up signage rights which then get sold with the revenue in part distributed among the teams. Michelin demanded to have free advertising space at races.

Both Pirelli and Michelin have insisted Formula 1 move to a tire which at least vaguely looks like a street tire and proposed using 18 inch wheels. This will radically alter the look of cars which now are limited to 13 inch wheels and tiny brake rotors.. But more than the look I imagine this will have a radical impact on the way cars suspensions are designed as now much of the compliance is provided by the tire and much as the springs. Maybe one of our more techie readers would like to illustrate the specifics of this proposal?

Whichever company and technical solution gets the go ahead, you would think this decision has to be made ASAP as design for next season's cars is around the corner and I would bet teams would rather keep the same fat donut type wheels until the next radical change in F1's formula in 2013.

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The Golden Age of GT Racing...

Did you watch the two GT races yesterday, the qualifying FIA GT1 race from Brno and the ALMS 6hr race from Laguna Seca? It seems to me there has never been better racing in (more or less) production derived classes, ever.

GT Endurance racing used to be about saving the car, now it's just very long sprint races with cars from BMW, Porsche, Ford, Ferrari, Jaguar, Aston, Maserati, Nissan, GM going flat out for however long they need to or until they break. It amazing.

Add to that, available internet streaming plus for ALMS and LM what has to be some of the best commentary in motorsports via the radiolemans.com crew, and you have a spectacle worth watching.

I wish I could say the same for the top class in ALMS, but if GT classes are living a great moment, the prototype ranks are just too thin to have any kind of relevance. The Le Mans 24 hrs will be better that way with Audi and Peugeots and Lola/Astons going at it but I'm guessing just as many will tune in to see if BMW can beat Porsche and Ferrari.

Production based racing makes a lot of sense for manufacturers, how much is this unintentional but quite significant picture from the Nürburgring 24 hr race worth to BMW in their fight against rival Audi? Priceless I would say.



Make sure you have a look at the main event from the FIA GT1 series today, from Brno in Czech Republic, it is live on the internet right now HERE. Replays from past races are also available (good job FIA!).

When you have a bit of time, enjoy this very cool film on the 2010 Nürburgring 24 hour; "24 Hours in 19500 frames " by Tim and Nick Hahne of Stereoscreen.de, a production company based in Duisburg.



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Who's Joy and what's her number?

ALMS at Laguna Seca starts soon, 2:30 PT. you can see the race live on the web after you register at THIS LINK. Hurry because the viewing slots are limited.

Below is a qualifying lap in Bill Auberlen GT(2) BMW M3. The BMW's qualified 5th and 6th for the 6 hour race. The front row of the GT grid went to two Ferraris followed by two Corvettes. Never mind the lamest slogan ever plastered on the dash, it's always nice to see that fantastic northern California track!



meanwhile, during warmup..



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FIA GT1 from Brno, live feed now...

Click on the picture to see the race from BRNO live....


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One Monster Integrale...

...less in the world. The horrible dangers of our enemy, understeer, illustrated.
(driver was fine, car was toast. Video by Hillclimbfans.com)
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The Patrese Effect.

It all started with that clip of ex F1 driver Riccardo Patrese out for a lap in a Honda Civic, smirking as his terrified wife hurled all manner of insults his way, an internet legend was born.

A couple of million YouTube views later, Porsche tries to recreate the spirit of the video with a teaser clip used for the launch of the 997 GT3 MarkII. Now, one of our readers made his own "tribute to the tribute" clip with his GT3 and a girl whose hair makes for a great analog G-meter! Check it out, she's a pretty good sport about it and...she doesn't hurl!


(Video by Farzaan Kassam)

Still, our vote for funniest "scared passanger" video of all time will have to go to Jordi Gene's grandmother!...
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Is this the best enthusiast car made today?

One of the many stories to emerge from the 2010 edition of the Nürburgring 24 Hour race, along with BMW's win and the performance of Porsche's Hybrid RSR was the thirteenth overall placing of an essentially stock street car, a Porsche 997 GT3 RS (mkII). Yes, the car was running on slick tires and had different springs to compensate but it's not unlike what a regular tracktard like you or I (presuming we could afford an RS that is!) might do.

This was the car Walter Röhrl was to co-drive but could not. In the video another ring "legend", Horst Von Saurma, chief editor of Germany's Sport Auto and the man whose lap times in tests at the Nordschleife are generally considered to be the real "benchmark" for a car's true performance.

What a sound, what a car, I submit to you there is not another car made right now that would have been capable of duplicating the GT3 RS' result.



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(Safety Car, May 15, 2010 by AC)

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2010 Monaco Grand Prix

Weber was just in a class of his own today, he just put the hammer down lap after lap, it was fantastic to see. Too bad we were deprived of a duel between him and Alonso, the only other driver out there who seemed to be racing.

Schumacher? Did he come back with all his tricks more than his speed? Towards the race you could clearly hear Alonso's Ferrari had an "off" engine note yet Schumacher could not make a dent in the gap. I think the penalty he got was well deserved, for him and for the team who told him to go ahead with the dodgy move. If you do want to put a less negative spin on the incident, perhaps you can see it as a sign that "grandpa" Schumi is still as ruthlessly competitive as ever.

Speaking of team errors, is it just me who's amazed at how relatively little play Mclaren's incredible goof got in the motoring press? The result is Button now dropped to 4th in the championship and Alonso, who started from the pit lane today, only three points down from Webber and Vettel. Hmmm... how many times did I see that Singapore fuel hose episode ridiculed?

Anyway, how cool to see F1 cars so close you can smell them. Below is a surely way too big gallery of pictures I shot today. Indulge me, it's not every day I get to do play like this. Also, a video clip, so you can get a feel for the sounds... enjoy it, I had a blast getting all this material to share!

Revised race results

Pos  Driver        Team                 
 1.  Webber        Red Bull-Renault     
 2.  Vettel        Red Bull-Renault     
 3.  Kubica        Renault              
 4.  Massa         Ferrari              
 5.  Hamilton      McLaren-Mercedes     
 6.  Alonso        Ferrari              
 7.  Rosberg       Mercedes             
 8.  Sutil         Force India-Mercedes 
 8.  Liuzzi        Force India-Mercedes 
10.  Buemi         Toro Rosso-Ferrari   
11.  Alguersuari   Toro Rosso-Ferrari   
12.  Schumacher    Mercedes             
13.  Petrov        Renault              

World Championship standings, round 6:                

Drivers:                    Constructors:             
 1.  Webber        78        1.  Red Bull-Renault          156
 2.  Vettel        78        2.  Ferrari                   136
 3.  Alonso        75        3.  McLaren-Mercedes          129
 4.  Button        70        4.  Mercedes                   78
 5.  Massa         61        5.  Renault                    65
 6.  Kubica        59        6.  Force India-Mercedes       30
 7.  Hamilton      59        7.  Williams-Cosworth           8
 8.  Rosberg       56        8.  Toro Rosso-Ferrari          4
 9.  Schumacher    22       
10.  Sutil         20       
11.  Liuzzi        10       
12.  Barrichello    7       
13.  Petrov         6       
14.  Alguersuari    3       
15.  Hulkenberg     1 
16.  Buemi          1      
       
All timing unofficial

BMW Rocks the Eiffel.

(photo: Julien.mahiels)

"Rock & Roll, ladies and gentleman, der sound der Eiffel." Congratulations to BMW for outlasting Porsche and Audi in the 24 Hour Rennen at the Nürburgring. Now, on to Le Mans!

Porsche almost pulled off a stunner with their Hybrid 911 which broke down from the lead with 2 hours to go. The M3 finished the last hour or so with a broken grarbox.... Epic!


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Swimming Pool

Rather and rehashing what happened today, I'm sure you already read the news elsewhere, let me give you a taste of what it looked like down at the Swimming pool complex. When the guys are on it, and pushing around that section, it's just otherworldly.




It's hard to believe that all of this is going on in that blink of an eye...


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Traffic... 24HR Rennen UPDATE

Jenson Button, complained a single car in front of him slowed down. We submit some 2010 Nürburgring 24Hr Rennen clips....now THAT'S traffic!

You can find more clips an a live feed of the race AFTER THE JUMP. I'll update this post as more video come online, check back.



6hr recap: Tits on the side of your car can be a distraction and "Oh look, another Lotus caught on fire!"







Look at that M3 move all around!

Porsche Supercup, Monaco 2010

Some say Porsche Supercups are just racing toys, who are we to argue?
(press the fullscreen button on the lower right)



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What's funny about this RSR?

If you said "it has a license plate" you would be correct. If you have a really keen eye and said this is in fact not an RSR but a painstakingly well done recreation based on a GT3, as much as that defies logic, you would be spot on. Yup, complete with navigation, this is just the kind of car you are likely to see only in Monaco!


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24H Rennen Classics

You haven't forgotten that the Nürburgring 24Hr is this week end,right? As a warm up they have a classic car version, here are some highlights from the practice session. Where else can you see a Ford Failane 500 and a Fiat Abarth 1000TC share the same turn?


(MT89Motorsport/YouTube)
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Ferrari Fast First

It's almost never the case that Ferrari is fast in first practice yet today, Fernando Alonso seemed very comfortable and was the only driver in the 1:14 range. You sensed others tried a bit of a late charge to win the "headline Grand Prix" but by the end of the session the temperature dropped and there were a few drops of rain and what grip there was, went away. The Ferrari crew looked quite pleased with themselves.

Monaco may not produce many exciting races but practice and qualifying are just spectacular. The speed at which an F1 car can negotiate the left right of the entrance to the "swimming pool" complex has to be seen in person to be believed, TV pictures just do not do it justice. Big change this year are the raised curbs in the two slow chicanes, after the tunnel and at the back end of the swimming pool. You can see it in the video clip below, it's the yellow raised section. It will certainly be a deterrent as any car hitting those at speed will surely lose traction and time at the very least.

A couple of on-boards after the jump (you might need to get it to buffer first, sorry)

Pos  Driver         Team                   Time              Laps
 1.  Alonso         Ferrari                 1:14.904            36
 2.  Rosberg        Mercedes                1:15.013  + 0.109   39
 3.  Vettel         Red Bull-Renault        1:15.099  + 0.195   47
 4.  Massa          Ferrari                 1:15.120  + 0.216   44
 5.  Schumacher     Mercedes                1:15.143  + 0.239   38
 6.  Kubica         Renault                 1:15.192  + 0.288   38
 7.  Hamilton       McLaren-Mercedes        1:15.249  + 0.345   32
 8.  Sutil          Force India-Mercedes    1:15.460  + 0.556   42
 9.  Button         McLaren-Mercedes        1:15.619  + 0.715   37
10.  Webber         Red Bull-Renault        1:15.620  + 0.716   28
11.  Petrov         Renault                 1:15.746  + 0.842   44
12.  Buemi          Toro Rosso-Ferrari      1:16.276  + 1.372   46
13.  Hulkenberg     Williams-Cosworth       1:16.348  + 1.444   48
14.  Barrichello    Williams-Cosworth       1:16.522  + 1.618   37
15.  Liuzzi         Force India-Mercedes    1:16.528  + 1.624   42
16.  de la Rosa     Sauber-Ferrari          1:16.599  + 1.695   36
17.  Kobayashi      Sauber-Ferrari          1:16.818  + 1.914   45
18.  Alguersuari    Toro Rosso-Ferrari      1:17.023  + 2.119   28
19.  Kovalainen     Lotus-Cosworth          1:18.184  + 3.280   47
20.  di Grassi      Virgin-Cosworth         1:18.478  + 3.574   38
21.  Trulli         Lotus-Cosworth          1:18.667  + 3.763   13
22.  Glock          Virgin-Cosworth         1:18.721  + 3.817   41
23.  Chandhok       HRT-Cosworth            1:20.313  + 5.409   35
24.  Senna          HRT-Cosworth            1:22.148  + 7.244   11

All Timing Unofficial

Good Morning from Monaco!

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"We Do Sideways Here"

The title is an ironic take on a classic reprimand of "...we DON'T do sideways here." by a Porsche Club of America official to our own CG who had "dared" to hang it out during a PCA track event. No such problems at the Scuderia Hanseat driving school as on of our favorite international tracktard heros, Maxige, shows in the clips below. In case you wonder why, after some 50 years, people still love 911s... I believe the answer is right there.

Scuderia Hanseat is a driving school program at the Nürburgring, it's a multiday course which ends with a final exam. You can read about it here

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Tastes Great, Less Filling: Porsche GT2 RS

Details are pretty much as we anticipated except it's even faster around the ring: 7:18. Four seconds faster than the Viper ACR, which is barely a street car. 3020lbs (1370kg) in street trim is perhaps the more impressive figure in this day and age.

It's natural rival will be the Ferrari 599 GTO which comes in at 670 HP and 0-62 in 3.35sec, 3163lbs (1435kg)... Pass the popcorn!

Porsche 911 GT2 RS – Most Powerful, Street Legal Porsche Ever

Ultimate 911 extracts 620 ultra-efficient, twin-turbocharged horsepower from 3.6 liters; Provides best-in-class power-to-weight ratio and increased fuel economy

ATLANTA - May 12, 2010 - The time: seven minutes, 18 seconds on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. The power: 620 hp. The weight: 3,020 lb (1,370 kilograms) in road trim with all fluids on board. The car: the new 2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS.

90 More Horsepower, 154 lbs Less Filling

The latest 911 is the fastest and most powerful road-going sports car ever built in the history of Porsche. With horsepower (hp) up by 90 and weight down by 154 lbs (70 kilograms) in comparison with the previous 911 GT2, the new 911 GT2 RS has a power-to-weight ratio of just 4.9 lbs (2.21 kg) per horsepower, by far the best power/weight ratio in its class. These are the ideal ingredients for an ultra-high-performance sports car with supreme agility and truly blistering performance on the road. Perfectly illustrating Porsche Intelligent Performance, the 2011 GT2 RS achieves a reduction of approximately 5 percent for both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions when compared with the previous 911 GT2.

The 3.6 liter six-cylinder boxer engine features two variable turbine geometry turbochargers and provides power to the rear wheels exclusively through a six-speed manual gearbox. Equally impressive stopping power comes from Porsche Composite Ceramic Brakes (PCCB).

New tires were specifically developed for the 911 GT2 RS and measure 245/35 ZR 19 at the front and 325/30 ZR 19 at the rear, delivering cornering performance to match the straight-line speed. Extreme cornering dynamics are ensured by the setup of the springs, Porsche Adaptive Suspension Management (PASM), unique anti-roll bars, specific engine mounts and recalibrated Porsche Stability Management (PSM), whose stability and traction control functions can be switched off individually.

The combined effect of these developments is evident on the racetrack. In fact, the ultimate 911 accelerates from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds, boasts a top-track speed of 205 mph and laps the famed Nürburgring-Nordschleife racetrack in just 7 minutes and 18 seconds.



Unique Looks, Limited Production, Worldwide Appeal

In its looks, the new 911 GT2 RS stands out clearly from the other 911 models through the lavish use of carbon-fiber-reinforced components with a matt-black surface finish, even wider wheels (including flared wheel arches at the front), new light-alloy wheels with central locking and "GT2 RS" model designations on the doors and rear lid. Matte-finish carbon also graces the redesigned front spoiler lip and the 3/8th of an inch (10 mm) taller rear spoiler lip - which both enhance aerodynamics and provide extra downforce.

The interior of the 911 GT2 RS also exudes sporting performance in virtually every detail. Lightweight two-piece bucket seats made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic are standard, as are lightweight door panels with fabric straps instead of traditional door handles. The basic interior color is black, which contrasts with red elements, such as the seat center sections, the roof lining and segments of the steering wheel rim. The gearshift and handbrake lever are also finished in red alcantara.

Limited to just 500 units worldwide, the 911 GT2 RS will be available in the U.S. October 2010 and will have a MSRP of $245.000. The GT2 RS is making its world debut at the Moscow Auto Show on August 25th 2010.


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Pure Sound

Just turn it up... From the Spa 1000km qualifying session from MPZ Race Video



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Tale of Two Passes

Pretty rare to see two almost identical situations play out. You can read this a number of ways: Button was too nice, Hamilton was too hard, Schumacher shows his teeth, Vettel let himself be pushed off the track, Hamilton pushed him off the track. Or you can just chalk it up to just the way things happen during races. For sure Schumacher showed he still "has it". For sure Hamilton cements his reputation as a "hard" racer. Not surprisingly both passed drivers complained some after the race, borderline sad, Button's comment that Schumacher should not have passed him there.

Dull dull race, except perhaps for the final laps, it was like watching an endurance race. Alonso gained the most from the week end, he's now only three points down from Button and a full eighteen points up on his biggest threat in Monaco next week, Hamilton. Lewis finds himself tied with Massa who was leading the championship not long ago and who, like the Mclaren driver, needs to figure something out quickly.

Anyway, for comic relief, there is always Rob Smedley's "Felipe, baby...." moment...










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How Ferrari's F-Duct is controlled

In practice and qualifying,  Alonso and Massa were taking their left hand off the steering wheel a lot but it was not them being relaxed and casual.   

This piece, from the great coverage on Spain's La Sexta, shows that in fact the hand movement is to control Ferrari's version of the F-Duct.    You may have noticed the back of Alonso's glove looked odd, with a large black rubbery patch.  That is in fact neoprene used to make an airtight seal on the hole just to the left of the steering wheel.    It's a bit of an ergonomic nightmare especially since it forces the Ferrari drivers to adjust brake balance with their right hand, in effect letting go of the wheel altogether!  That's F-Duct'd!
(thanks Alex!)


(La Sexta)




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Monaco Garages

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The Corkscrew : an internet legend in the making

It's a small world and this person's attempt at "blackmail" to get out of paying a Nürburgring car rental bill backfired in spectacular fashion, the stuff of internet legend.

The thread is quite detailed and very entertaining, executive summary: guy goes over from the States, expects a Clio Cup to be a race car (hey, it says cup...) and, at the end of the day, has some issues with the billing. Upon his return, he posts his complaints on 2 very popular Porsche enthusiast web forums, Rennlist and 6speedonline and god knows where else.

I won't spoil it for you save to say that in a separate thread the gentleman had posted YouTube videosdetailing his prowness at doing handbrake turns on public roads in that same rented Clio, a video he has since, not surprisingly, removed.

Sit back and enjoy the carnage



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Ferrari makes the world safer!

I guess Ferrari decided to give up on the "Subliminal" barcode Marlboro livery making the world safe once again. Without the barcode, nobody will associate Ferrari with cigarettes ever again!



Schumacher showed some signs of life in Practice 1 today. The Mercedes came to Montmeló with a new split air inlet. Red Bull looked to have an F-Duct type solution. and Renault tried a couple of different nose wings. After the jump have a look as some close up details courtesy of Motorsport-Magazin.com.

F1 News: Mclaren's Suspension and Renault's Diffuser

Ahead of the Spanish GP week end I found these cool animations, one showing details of Mclaren's rear suspension, a three shock arrangement with two torsion bars and a central spring allowing precise control over roll and pitch, essential for traction.

The second clip shows Renault's innovative "double" rear diffuser. The videos are in Italian but the pictures are clear enough to get an idea. Renault cleverly moved the lower slits forward but cover them with a box structure which allows them to fall within the regulation parameters.






(Gazzetta Dello Sport)

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Monaco Garage WTF

You see all sort of things in the underground mazes / Ali Baba's caves that are Monaco's parking garages, this was one of the oddest sites I've come across this week...



It has a 600HP LS7 Chevy engine, a 6 speed manual transmission, does 0-60 in 4 seconds, weighs 3700lbs and is only marginally better looking than an X6...

Born in Weissach

Some of these Porsche designs you know very well, others will surprise you. Follow this link for captions


(Auto Motor und Sport)
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Ferrari 599 GTO Onboard Video

The man, the sunglasses.... Dario Benuzzi laps the Mugello track in a Ferrari 599 GTO. Nice sounds



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Subliminal?

There was a bit of dust raised, no doubt to fill the space in three week lull between F1 races, about Ferrari's supposed foul in subliminally marketing Marlboro cigarettes on their cars. Of course there is nothing subliminal going on, these banners are up all over Monaco two weeks ahead of the race, do they look like a "subliminal" Marlboro/Ferrari connection to you?

Now enough of these silly word games, let's go racing.


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Up in the the air.

Our friend Mat Barlow was in a helicopter filming the Historic GrandPrix last week end, he set us these great pictures to share with you.
(PS Now in higher rez...what other web site offers this kind of service! :) )



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A Tour of the Ferrari F10 Steering Wheel.

Note that it takes almost 9 minutes just to go through all the functions of this "simplified for 2010" steering wheel. Imagine dealing with it that at 200 mph...


(Ferrari)
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No New Motor for MKII GT2, GT2 RS a go with 620HP

997 GT2 MkII will have the "old" non-direct injected motor and no PDK. GT2 RS is a go, 620hp+, about 200 lb lighter than MkI GT2, only 300 produced worldwide. Rumored 'Ring time 7:22.
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2010 Grand Prix de Monaco Historique

You have to love it when guys rip the hell out of 70 plus year old cars that might have more in common with a tractor than what you may think of as race car. Sure half the field is basically out for a Sunday drive but there are a handful of drivers who leave very little on the table. You tend to question your vision when you witness the speed of a 1935 ERA up close, driver sitting what seems like 5 feet up in the air, half out of the car, It's amazing to watch.

No six wheeled Tyrrel P34 this year but an ex Jackie Stewart 006 will take the grid Sunday and Jackie was at the track today as was Bernie Ecclestone hanging out with Flavio Briatore.

In recent editions, the race to watch has been the "Pre 1975 Formula 1". Traditionally it's a fight between Duncan Dayton's 1970 Brabham BT33 and Joaquin Folch's '74 Maclaren M23. This year Dayton and Folch will have to contend with Frank Sytner's odd looking '74 Hesketh 308, starting on pole. Last time he flipped it, this time he's on pole, true tracktard! Also watch for Manfredo Rossi di Montelera's gorgeous BT42/44.

But make sure you don't miss the earlier "Pre 1966 Rear Engined GP Car" race. Maybe you remember those gorgeous Monaco Historics clips we featured in the past. They were by Alex King and Matt Barlow, both are avid Axis readers and I ran into them in the paddock on Friday, very cool to meet them in person. They are here working, with a big crew and lots of tasty HD equipment and onboard cameras, on a full length TV program on the GP hosted by Amanda Stretton. Can't wait to see the finished product, hopefully on HD Theater or similar high quality channel. They have an extra reason to celebrate tonight: Alex's father, James King, got pole today in his 1.5 liter 1963 Brabham BT7. Congratulations!

I made a quick clip. I suggest turning up the volume and having a listen to it, if anything to put you in the mood. Then have a look at the picture gallery from qualifying. Enjoy it, I had a blast shooting today, including having to get up at 5 am to get access!

May I suggest full screen for both the video and the gallery...




On Sunday, you can follow the Monaco Historic GP races timing Streamed live by following THIS LINK.
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Insane Mini Challenge Crash in Australia

Amazingly, only two spectators were injured but not seriously. The driver is in the hospital but also escaped serious injury. Anyone else think something's missing on that track, like a proper barrier? Australian Circuit design?

More Info Here


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