SALUTE TO A SUPERCAR – The Ferrari F40

A remarkable grid of 40 F40s marked Ferrari’s 20th birthday at the Silverstone Classic in 2007.

• 25 years of the Ferrari F40 celebrated with world record display

A world record gathering of Ferraris is the latest special birthday celebration announced for this summer’s Silverstone Classic powered by the AA (20-22 July 2012).

A remarkable grid of 40 F40s marked Ferrari’s 20th birthday at the Silverstone Classic in 2007.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the remarkable Ferrari F40, the incredible supercar rated by many ‘cognoscenti’ as the finest showroom model to have been created by the revered Italian automotive company. Commemorating such an important milestone, the Ferrari Owners’ Club of Great Britain is organising the largest collection of F40s ever seen for 2012’s running of the world’s biggest classic racing festival.

A remarkable grid of 40 F40s marked Ferrari’s 20th birthday at the Silverstone Classic in 2007.

“Our original aim was to get at least 25 of these Ferraris together and, as I have contacted owners, I have been gratified that so many want to be part of the celebration – so much so that we now have more than 50 F40s registered for the event with more still to come!” reported Nigel Chiltern-Hunt, the club’s co-ordinator for this anniversary gathering and himself the owner of one of these most loved and admired of all Ferraris. “A parade of those F40s present is planned for the Sunday and it undoubtedly will be the largest gathering of F40s ever seen anywhere in the world and will certainly beat the club’s own previous record of 40 F40s seen at the Silverstone Classic in 2007.”

First introduced in 1987 to honour Ferrari’s 40th anniversary, the mid-engined F40 was the final car commissioned by the Prancing Horse’s legendary founder Enzo Ferrari – as such it was specifically designed to serve as a dramatic and lasting testament to his track-developed, high performance supercar ethos. Blessed with a dramatic ultra-lightweight body designed by Pininfarina (featuring many carbon-fibre and Kevlar panels plus plastic windows) and propelled by a twin-turbocharged V8 developing 478 horsepower, performance was nothing short of phenomenal. Indeed the F40 was the world’s first 200mph production road car and has been widely hailed as ‘the greatest supercar’ of all time.

With an original price tag of close to £300,000, just 1315 F40s were produced in Maranello between 1987 and 1992 – and no fewer than 50 of these stunning Italian sportscars will be on show at Silverstone in July.

“Silverstone is the perfect place for Ferrari to be celebrating this important milestone in the incredible F40’s history,” said Nick Wigley, Event Organiser. “It was, of course, at Silverstone in 1951 that Ferrari achieved its first grand prix win and, since then, the circuit has witnessed countless more Ferrari victories, most recently when Fernando Alonso won last year’s British Grand Prix. With such a rich sporting history, it’s no surprise that so many fabulous Ferraris star in many of the major races staged at the Silverstone Classic. Now the promise of a record number of Ferrari F40s lining up on the infield is another major attraction. It’s a truly mouth-watering prospect that no supercar enthusiast will want to miss.”

As well as the Ferrari Owners’ Club of Great Britain, a host of other car clubs have already announced their own special celebrations at this summer’s huge three-day Silverstone Classic festival. These include 50th birthday celebrations for the AC Cobra, Lotus Elan and MGB plus the UK’s first BMW Z-Fest to mark 60 years of the BMW Car Club GB.

Full details of the 2012 Silverstone Classic powered by the AA – including information on ‘Early Bird’ ticket offers and a comprehensive selection of on-site camping facilities – are available via the event’s official www.silverstoneclassic.com website.

 

 

 

Which car should Nissan enter in the V8 Supercar Championship ?

With the rumour circulating tonight, that tomorrow Nissan Australia will announce that they are entering the 2013 V8 Supercar Championship, it got me thinking which model of their current car range should they base their entry on ?

The obvious choice would be the GTR

Nissan GTR Road Car

Currently very popular with Tarmac Racer’s and GT racers all over the world.

Nissan GTR Race car

But the GTR is currently only available as a two door.
The more logical choice would be to use the Nissan Skyline Sedan currently sold in Japan, as this is a four door sedan same as the Commodore and Falcon currently run in the championship.

Nissan Skyline 250GT Four Door Sedan

But the Skyline Sedan isn’t sold in Australia, however Nissan’s luxury brand Infiniti, which is launching in Australia this year, does sell a four door sedan. The Infiniti M

Infiniti M Sedan

So this would be the perfect opportunity for Nissan & Infiniti to work together to promote both brands and to help launch Infiniti to the Australian market.

The other options and the one that has been mentioned before, would be the Nissan Maxima which is sold in Australia, but the American version would be a better choice as its a nicer looking model.

US Version Nissan Maxima

Australian Version Nissan Maxima

Another model name being thrown around is the Altima, this is a model currently only sold in America and Japan and not Australia, so it doesn’t make sense to really base a race car off it.
But in saying that, there is a Hybrid version built of this car so it could be good to promote the green angle ?

US Version Nissan Altima

The final model being mentioned isn’t really made in any market currently but does have a long Motorsport history.
The Nissan Primera is alot smaller than the other cars mentioned but was successfully raced both in the UK and Australia in the 90′s.

Nissan Primera BTCC Race Car

But with the only similar model on sale today the current Pulsar, it isn’t really an ideal choice as its a lot smaller car compared to the Falcon and Commodore.

What will Nissan choose ? Its anybodies guess,  but by tommorrow afternoon we may have more of an idea.

From the Archive – A big group of Subaru WRX’s

Shot at a Subaru gathering in 2006 at Chateau Yering in the Yarra Valley

It’s hot in Melbourne right now but back when it snowed

With it currently 29c in Melbourne at 11:30pm, it got me thinking back to colder times.

Like when this image above was taken back in August 2005 up in the hills near Lake Mountain, taken on a random weekend cruise with some friends.

Hard to believe that we will see snow in around 6 months.

Infiniti Displays Four Inspired Vehicles at 2012 North American International Auto Show

Four unique vehicles share the spotlight at the Infiniti pavilion at the 2012 North American International Auto Show beginning this week, each offering their own unique interpretation of Infiniti Inspired Performance.  The foursome includes the 2013 Infiniti JX luxury crossover, the 2013 IPL G Convertible, the dramatic Infiniti Etherea Concept and the record-setting Infiniti-sponsored Red Bull Racing Formula 1 race car.  Also on display are the 2012 Infiniti G line, Infiniti M Sedan and Infiniti M Hybrid, and the Infiniti EX, FX and QX luxury SUVs.  Consumer days for the North American International Auto Show run from January 14th to 22nd.

Gone in 60 Seconds Eleanor movie car to go under the hammer

One of the most famous movie cars in the world is to be sold by COYS the international car auctioneers at the Autosport International show in Birmingham on Saturday January 14th and it could go for as much as £100,000.

The star of the 1974 film ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’ was undoubtedly the 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 named Eleanor. When the producers of the 2000 remake were looking for a car to feature in a climactic chase sequence, another mustang was the natural choice. In order to stand out amongst the array of exotic sports cars also featuring in the movie, it was decided that the Mustang would need to be something special.

Famed Hot Rod illustrator Steve Stanford was enlisted to create a 1967 Mustang GT500 and former Boyd Coddington designer Chip Foose was hired by the production company to turn Stanford’s work into a reality.
Working from Stanford’s drawings with Ray Claridge of Cinema Vehicle Services in North Hollywood, wings with new wider wheel arches, a bonnet with a prominent bulge, a deep front valance and side skirts and a spoiler incorporated into the boot lid were designed. PIAA lights were installed in both the nose and tail and a distinctive billet grille was specified. The Schmidt 17×8-inch wheels that finish off the cars external appearance were sourced while the interior was kept as a standard Shelby interior with a monster tachometer and a subtle roll hoop.

Twelve cars were built in total, five of which were stunt cars that didn’t survive the filming. The car being sold is one of the very small number that remain.

More specifically, this is one of the three ‘hero’ cars, built not just to be functional but also to be used for scenes involving the actors themselves. Designated number 7, this actual car would have been used for driving shots or, with a camera mounted, for dialogue or interior action shots featuring the actors.

According to the supplied copy of the build sheet, in addition to the bodywork modifications, the preparation of this particular 1967 Mustang fastback involved replacing the 289 cubic inch V8 with a 351 cubic inch Ford Racing crate motor fitted with a ‘big’ camshaft and 700cfm Holley 4-barrel carburettor. Total Control Products lowered the suspension with coil over front suspension and Willwood disk brakes all round with 6 piston callipers on the front. Though not functional in the movie, the side exhausts were made functional by Cinema Vehicle Services when filming was completed. The Fuel Safe tank is filled through a Mach 1 cap on the C-Pillar.

‘Eleanor’ is essentially unchanged today from when she completed her starring role. Instantly recognisable whether a movie aficionado or not, the Mustang is in very good condition overall. The paintwork, resplendent in metallic Grey with Black stripes, is in excellent condition. The interior is equally fine with carpets and seats clean and free from significant wear or damage. To say the engine sounds healthy would be an understatement. The side exit exhausts make a satisfying and potent rumble, which sets hairs on end. As seen in the movie, the switch to arm the Nitrous Oxide system and ‘go baby go’ switch on the gear lever are present and correct.

Chris Routledge Managing Director at COYS said: We have a reputation for selling some of the most famous movie cars in the world including the Batmobile.  The Eleanor Mustang is one of only two original cars in private hands. We are offering an unrepeatable opportunity to acquire one of the cars that actually appeared in the movie and which will undoubtedly increase in value in years to come.”

 

SARENI United Presents the New Chev Camaro GT Racing Car for the 2012 Season

Ford of Britain 100: Image of the Week – Ford RS200

BRENTWOOD, Essex, 28th December, 2011 – To celebrate the centenary of Ford of Britain in 2011 the company has explored its photo archive to reveal rarely seen images.

Ford’s unique relationship with Britain and its society has been illustrated each week by specially selected pictures.

Rallying is a tough, and sometimes cruel, sport.  Designed as a Group B rally car, the RS200 was turbocharged, mid-engined, light, 4-wheel driven, and fast on any surface.  As regulations demanded, 200 examples were built in the UK with production starting in 1986.

Its rallying career was cut short when the FIA reacted to a number of serious accidents by banning aerodynamic devices on Group B cars and then calling a halt to the entire class from 1987.  As a result the RS200 was transformed from stark rally car to a more luxurious road car specification, albeit one that was still cramped, noisy, high-revving and physically demanding to drive.

Audi R8 LMS ultra to fight for World Champion’s title in 2012

• GT1 World Championship to be held with GT3 cars in 2012
• Team WRT from Belgium is set on battling for championship
• Two new Audi R8 LMS ultra cars on the grid

Ingolstadt, December 20, 2011 – The new Audi R8 LMS ultra will also be competing in the FIA GT1 World Championship next year. Two vehicles of the brand new customer sport race car will be independently fielded by Team WRT in the world’s highest-calibre GT racing series.

Successful ascent: when Audi in the 2009 season initiated its customer sport programme with the R8 LMS for the GT3 class, this class was one of four major GT categories. Meanwhile the GT3 is not only making its mark nationally but increasingly on an international level as well. Following the inception of a FIA European Championship for GT3 models in 2006, there will also be a FIA GT1 World Championship exclusively held for GT3 vehicles in the future. Consequently, the Audi R8 LMS ultra will be able to compete in the world’s top racing class for GT vehicles and, in the 2012 season, fight for a world champion’s title of its own for the first time.

“We very much welcome the decision of the FIA World Motor Sport Council on December 7th in favour of the GT3 cars,” emphasises Werner Frowein, Managing Director of quattro GmbH. “In the future, this vehicle class will not only stand for high-calibre national and European customer sport but also for the world’s pinnacle in GT racing. We are delighted that Team WRT has submitted its entry for the World Championship and will be representing the colours of Audi Sport customer racing.”

The squad based in Flénu, Belgium, has been fielding the Audi R8 LMS in various European championships since 2010. Only two years old, the team has celebrated some remarkable successes this season, having clinched overall victories at the Spa and the Zolder 24 Hours plus having won the Blancpain Endurance Series. “The GT1 World Championship is a wonderful new commitment for us,” says a pleased Team Director Vincent Vosse. “We’re facing a challenging new task which all of our team members are looking forward to.”

According to the wishes of World Championship promoter SRO each team is to compete with two cars of a single vehicle model from a single brand, respectively. While in most GT3 racing series professionals and amateurs share a cockpit, only professional racers compete in the GT1 World Championship. WRT is planning to select and announce its drivers before the end of December. The details on the format of the competition will be approved by the FIA shortly. It is expected that there will be ten worldwide events, each featuring two one-hour races. A provisional race calendar has already been established.

2012 FIA GT1 World Championship
Round 1: Apr 08 Nogaro (France)
Round 2: Apr 22 Zolder (Belgium)
Round 3: May 27 Navarra (Spain)
Round 4: Jul 08 Algarve (Portugal)
Round 5: Aug 26 Peking (China)
Round 6: Sep 02 Ordos (China)
Round 7: Sep 16 Moscow (Russia)
Round 8: Oct 07 Zandvoort (Netherlands)
Round 9: Nov 25 San Luis (Argentina)
Round 10: TBA

LIMITED EDITION 256PS AUDI A1 QUATTRO

Wonder if some of these will make their way Down Under to Australia ?

High performance, high specification all-wheel-drive A1 premium subcompact will be limited to just 333 examples worldwide

• Exclusive left-hand-drive-only all-wheel-drive A1 model limited to 333 examples worldwide
• Powered by 2.0-litre TFSI engine delivering 256PS at 6,000rpm and 350Nm of torque between 2,500 and 4,500rpm, 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds, top speed 152mph, combined mpg 33.2
•  Unique and extensive exterior and interior specification
• Due in mainland Europe in the second half of 2012 – customer interest will help to determine whether Audi UK begins imports

Full Press Release and more images after the jump