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Motorsports News

Eastern Creek turns into new Sydney Motorsport Park

Sydney Motorsport Park

A new name—Sydney Motorsport Park—and a #12 million dollar works program has turned Eastern Creek Raceway into “a professional, modern, international entertainment destination” according to Glenn Matthews, CEO of the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club.

Most of the upgrades centre around an 830m track extension starting from turn 6 at the south-eastern corner of the track. This has been complemented by improvements to the pitlane facilities and a new branding rollout to announce the new name, including a new website.

The 830m addition has created the 4.5km “Long Circuit” while the original 3.9km “Grand Prix Circuit” can still be used. In addition the track can now be separated into the 2.8km “GP North” and 1.8km “GP South” configurations which will allow two different events to be run at the same time.

Speaking at today’s official opening Glenn Matthews said: “What we have in Sydney Motorsport Park is unique in Sydney, and indeed NSW. It is the only permanent race track in the Sydney basin, and as a result the decision was taken that its name should reflect this.

“There are now four different track configurations, with the ability for the North GP and South GP layouts to operate at the same time, which significantly increases our capacity.”

Already the new layout has secured the return of the V8 Supercars to the track, with an event to be held there in August. Meanwhile, Matthews promised today, “There are some other exciting announcements regarding major events coming very soon too.”

Work is still ongoing for the control tower and pitlane complex that will be used to operate GP South circuit. They’ll be positioned adjacent to turns four and five.

We’ve included a couple of before and (almost) after satellite images below, along with an interview with V8SC driver Jonathon Webb, who was interviewed at today’s opening.

[Source: Sydney Motorsport Park]

UPDATE 24 May: A short video from Sydney Motorsport Park about the launch has been added below.

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News

Porsche Macan SUV rendered

Porsche Macan rendering

Following the recent round of Porsche Macan spy shots, Dan Buzdugan from PS-Garage has had a crack at removing the camouflage and produced the rendering you see above.

In black it’s a little hard to make out the finer details, but as a first guess it’s very useful. You can see a clear resemblance to the bigger Cayenne, which is no surprise. However, the Macan will have styling details of its own.

Starting with the headlights, they’re slimmer than what we’re used to on the Cayenne. Also the front grille and secondary lighting treatments, on this rendering anyway, are more successful than the production Cayenne. The rear C-pillar on the Macan appears less upright than its big brother too.

Check the pics below for a comparison of the Cayenne and Macan.

[Source: PS-Garage]

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News

Carroll Shelby 1923–2012

Carroll Shelby

We start the day with the sad news that American muscle car legend Carroll Shelby has passed away. He had been suffering from pneumonia for several weeks and died peacefully at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. He was 89 and is survived by his three children Patrick, Michael and Sharon, his sister Anne Shelby Ellison of Fort Worth and his wife Cleo.

Shelby earned his stripes racing cars in the 1950s, and he was damn good at it too. He competed in eight F1 races in across the 1958 and 1959 seasons. As part of the Aston Martin factory team he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959.

But it was his Cobra muscle car for which he became best known. It was a simple concept, a big American V8 shoehorned into a British roadster, the AC Ace. The “Shelby Cobra” as it became known has existed in a number of configurations, starting with the original 289s in 1962. The more powerful 427s followed in 1965.

The beautiful mid-century curves, the brutal and dominant roar of a powerful V8 engine: The motoring world owes Shelby a quiet nod of thanks. He has given us a true icon, which will now serve as a fitting legacy to his life.

We’ve assembled a few pics and videos for you after the break to pay raucous respect. Also included is a press release from Shelby American.

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Jaguar News

Heaven’s gate

Jaguar XJ at the Nurburgring

Freelance motoring journalist Karl Peskett was recently at the Nürburgring as a guest of Jaguar. He was kind enough to pen a few thoughts for us.

The Nürburgring. It’s the name which strikes fear into the hearts of many, and awe into the minds of others. It was named Green Hell by Sir Jackie Stewart—“Green” because it’s surrounded by forest and fields, and “Hell” because, as Niki Lauda can attest, the risks can often outweigh the rewards.

It’s like the Crowded House song, “Four seasons in one day”, because of its length. The Nürburgring “Nordschleife” (Northern Loop) is a track that experiences such a diverse range of weather conditions that the north end of the track is often a complete contrast to the southern end. Its elevation also affects conditions in this respect, sitting at 620 feet above sea level in the Eifel mountains. Every cloud in the Atlantic makes a path directly for the track, so you should always account for a risk of rain when you visit the track.

The Nordschleife is motoring Mecca, though, and almost all petrolheads will make a pilgrimage at some point. Before you do, though, you need to know what to expect, because often the expectations you have are shattered once you arrive.

You’ll know you’re near the ‘Ring by the amount of Porsche GT3s which congregate on the local roads. Throw in a Caterham or two, and some test mules for Jaguar, BMW and Audi, and you can sense the gravity of the ‘Ring.

There’s a small roundabout close to the entrance, and a modest metal gate. It’s not a swish entrance, or an area in which fanfare is common—this is just a track in rural Germany after all. What were to be the actual tourist attractions are further along, near the Lindner Hotel, but the rollercoaster still isn’t running, years after it was built. It’s what lies behind that gate, though, that makes this place so special.

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News

Mateschitz wants Webber to stay at RBR

2012 Bahrain Grand Prix

Red Bull Racing’s owner, Dietrich Mateschitz, is reported to have given a short but unambiguous show of support for Mark Webber. No doubt questioned after the Webber to Ferrari rumours the Austrian billionaire told Swiss newspaper Blick, “I hope that he keeps driving with us for a long time.”

Looks as though those whipper snappers at Toro Rosso will have to bide their time for at least one more year.

[Source: motorsport.com | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 News

Rodrigo Santoro ready for Ayrton Senna biopic

Rodrigo Santoro to star in Ayrton Senna biopic

Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro is in discussions to play Ayrton Senna in a Hollywood biopic. Santoro revealed the news in an interview with Collider.

At this stage the movie has not been signed off by the Senna family and until that happens Santoro says he won’t agree to be involved. However, you get the feeling he’s keen to play the part.

“If we get this done, if we really move forward with this project, it will be with the family, with his family, it will all be done in a very, very careful and respectful way. So yeah that might be possible in the future. Right now, we’re still in conversations, but it is moving,” Santoro revealed.

The 36-year-old added, “And it’s an honor. If this whole thing goes forward it will be amazing. Right now we have nothing official, nothing to… I cannot say much because there’s nothing really there yet. We’ll see. If it’s meant to happen, it will.”

If the movie does get the green light, let’s hope the script is sharp and honest, and the director and producer understand the sport of F1. An all out Hollywood blockbuster could end up being a total disaster.

You can watch Santoro’s interview in full after the break.

[Source: Collider]

Categories
Formula 1 News

Blue is the colour, F1 is the game!

Sauber teams up with Chelsea FC

Two things we like very much here at AUSmotive are F1 and Chelsea FC. Now, thanks to a new deal with Sauber Motorsport, the two have become interlinked. Why, we’re not so sure, but who are we to argue.

Keen observers will have noticed the Saubers running “Out of the Blue” and “True Blue” signage on their cars at the Chinese GP and Bahrain GP respectively. That gave us the first clue that a new deal was on the horizon. With the mystery now revealed, the Sauber C31s will proudly boast the Chelsea FC logo from next weekend at the Spanish GP. In return the Sauber F1 Team logo will be displayed at Stamford Bridge during Chelsea games.

Apart from the PR fluff, the two teams hope to share and contrast their sport science knowledge. Of course, exposure to a wider audience should benefit both parties, especially Chelsea with F1’s global reach.

“A partnership like this between Formula One and Football has never existed before in this form, yet there are numerous commonalities and possible synergies. In either case we are talking about team sport at the highest – and international – level,” explained Monisha Kaltenborn, CEO of the Sauber F1 Team.

“The Sauber F1 Team and Chelsea FC are dealing with many of the same sporting and commercial topics and we want to strengthen each other in these areas. We are looking forward to exploiting these opportunities, and we congratulate Chelsea on making it to the final of the Champions League.”

So do we. Go Blues!

Categories
Motor Shows News

2012 AIMS dates confirmed

Mazda at AIMS 2011

We received an email on Wednesday confirming the media day for the 2012 Australian International Motor Show, to be held in Sydney this year, will go for a full day. That’ll be on Thursday 18 October and gives the manufacturers more time to impress hacks like us.

More importantly, the motor show won’t open to the public until the following day, so they’ll also have overnight to rearrange their stands. You’ll then have 10 full days to check out the show for yourself.

“We have received positive feedback from exhibitors on the decision to keep the Thursday exclusively for media and industry,” Show Director, Russ Tyrie said.

“Many are taking advantage of the change conducting multiple on-stand launches and presentations for staff, dealers and key customers during the afternoon.

“Furthermore, this decision also provides the general public with the added benefit of having an extra full day on the Friday to enjoy the Show.”

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Formula 1 News

Rush movie poster revealed

Rush, F1 movie poster

This fairly crappy JPG is our first glimpse at the marketing material for Ron Howard’s F1 biopic Rush. It’s way too early to tell if Howard will deliver an authentic and believable recreation of the fight between James Hunt and Niki Lauda during the 1976 Formula One season. However, all indications so far show that he is not taking half measures.

Certainly, the 70s has been captured quite well in this poster (full version below), which we believe is being used to promote the film in Cannes.

Here’s an official synopsis for the flick:

Set against the 1970’s golden age of Formula 1 racing, “Rush” portrays the fast-paced and exhilarating true story of two of the greatest rivalries the sport has ever witnessed – that of James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl) and their illustrious Formula 1 racing teams, McLaren and Ferrari. A privileged, charismatic and handsome English playboy, Hunt could not be more different from his reserved and methodical opponent, Austrian born Lauda. “Rush” follows their personal lives both on and off the track and charts their rivalry from its inception in Formula 3. Here they competed viciously against each other until Lauda’s business acumen and surgeon like precision behind the wheel propelled him all the way to Formula 1; eventually landing him the number one spot at Ferrari. However it was not long before rambunctious golden boy Hunt fought his way into Formula 1, and into the hearts of a nation, dramatically seizing the championship from Lauda and proving to the critics, and more importantly himself, that there was real substance beneath the stylish exterior.

If you’re not already, we recommend you follow @RealRonHoward on twitter. He updates with pics from filming most days. Check out the image below showing their recreation of racing at Fuji.

[Source: JoBlo]

Categories
Formula 1 News

Grand Prix of America street circuit now under construction

New Jersey Grand Prix site

Pitpass brings word that planning for the 2013 Grand Prix of America in New Jersey is well underway. This should help ease rumours that the quasi-New York GP could be deferred until 2014.

The above pic shows a tailored Porsche Cayenne fitted with a camera rig that has reportedly been sent out on the roads of Weehawken and West New York to capture some promotional footage.

It’s understood work on the pit garages and paddock complex has begun at the Port Imperial site, while engineering for the 5.14km street circuit is also being finalised. With the NYC skyline in full view and elevation changes of around 50 metres it will be one of the sport’s most spectacular locations.

The race has been pencilled in for June next year and we suspect it will be huge. Will we see you there?

[Source: Pitpass]

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Motorsports News Video

It’s another new lap record for Bathurst

Chris Gilmour, Formula 3, Mount Panorama official lap record holder

Motor racing returned to Bathurst over Easter and even though it was a few weeks ago now we’d be remiss not to bring you this video.

You see, Chris Gilmour, a Formula 3 driver from Queensland, set a new official lap record around Mount Panorama in Bathurst.

Gilmour finished second at the race meeting, but was pretty satisfied to set a new benchmark for the 6.213km circuit. “It’s pretty amazing to be here, full stop – but to do something like set the outright lap record that gets talked about so much is pretty special. It requires so much commitment and a great car to do the job here and we had that,” Gilmour said.

Until a few months ago the official lap record, set under race conditions, at Bathurst was held by Jamie Whincup in a V8 Supercar. His mark was 2:08.4651 set during the 2007 Bathurst 1000.

At the Bathurst 12 Hour in February, Allan Simonsen lowered the official race record to 2:06.3311 at the wheel of a Ferrari 458 GT3.

Gilmour, in his Formula 3, broke the record by the best part of two seconds on the way to a 2:04.6187 benchmark. You can watch video of the record lap after the break. It’s pretty special watching on board footage from an open wheeler on the Mountain too.

[Source: bathurstmotorfestival.com.au | Thanks to Ryan for the tip]

Categories
Formula 1 News

Bahrain’s “Days of rage”

Bahrain Grand Prix report by Al Jazeera TV

If you’re trying to make sense of the political controversy surrounding the 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix here’s a special report from the Al Jazeera program Inside Story. It goes for around 25 minutes and perhaps you could watch this in place of the pre-race coverage on your local broadcasts.

Introducing the debate, the program begins:

After three races of the 2012 season, Formula One motor racing is set to return to Bahrain’s tracks for the first time since demonstrations began in February 2011, causing a huge controversy.

Anti-government protesters say the event planned for Sunday will only fuel the ongoing human rights crisis and they have promised “three days of rage” to coincide with the event.

So, is Bahrain safe, right and ready for Formula One? Why is the Bahraini government so keen to hold the event? And does targeting a sporting event make a difference to a political situation?

To help us answer these questions, we are joined by guests: Jamal Fakhro, the first deputy chairman of the Shura Council, the upper house of the National Assembly; Saeed al-Shehabi, the leader of the Bahrain Freedom Movement; and Mihir Bose, a sports journalist and author.

UPDATE: Noted F1 blogger Joe Saward has posted comment on the situation in Bahrain. He states: “It is eye-opening to see what is being reported, because it bears no resemblance to what we are seeing. Admittedly, we are not going to hot spots, but we feel that the coverage is completely unrepresentative of the situation. One can see that the media is not giving the regime the benefit of the doubt, which is not surprising given what happened last year.”