Category: News

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Formula 1 News

Ayrton Senna – The movie

Ayrton Senna - The movie

It seems the quest to make a buck from the movie game has extended its reach to the life of Ayrton Senna. Late last year Senna was voted the best driver in the history of Formula One. It was no mug punter poll, either; voting was only open to current and ex-F1 pilots.

So, I guess, if a movie/feature length documentary need be made of an F1 driver Senna may as well be it. The company behind the flick is Working Title, they’ve some solid film making behind them, so from that point of view, at least, Senna’s story is in good hands.

Importantly, the movie has the support of the Senna family. Key F1 heavyweights such as Bernie Eccelstone, Ron Dennis and Sir Frank Williams have also supported the film. All solid signs, then.

James Allen has seen a pre-release cut of the film and has given the production a big wrap, “It is an absolutely fantastic film and I’m sure that not only are F1 fans going to be blown away by it, but it will cross-over into the mainstream with many non F1 fans, especially women, drawn to the poignant human interest story at the heart of it.”

Public release of the film is due in a few months.

[Source: James Allen on F1]

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News Safety Issues

Marulan Driver Training Centre needs your help

MRT Performance track day

AUSmotive recently discovered that the Marulan Driver Training Centre provides a first class facility for road users of various needs and experience. Unfortunately, MDTC is under threat of forced closure due to noise complaints.

On the day I attended MDTC all participants were asked to be mindful of surrounding properties and, anecdotally at least, I can say the noise from our group was kept to an absolute minimum. Keep in mind all cars in attendance were road registered vehicles in compliance with the required noise standards.

So, what can you do to help? The Marulan Region Portal is currently running a poll to gauge support or otherwise for the Marulan Driver Training Centre. If you have used the facilities at MDTC and found them to be worthwhile, or if you generally support the facility, please take the time to vote in the poll, which can be found at the bottom of the homepage.

As well as “Drive your street car” days Garry Wilmington and his staff offer numerous driver training programs aimed at improving road skills of inexperienced road users. The skills taught are not just about car control, but also take in driver attitude and hazard perception techniques.

MDTC plays an important role in driver education and it would be a real shame if it was forced to close down. Please do what you can to help and spread word of this poll.

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Formula 1 News Red Bull Racing

London calling

Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing, London, 2010

Red Bull Racing and Mark Webber stunned London commuters early yesterday morning when they took to the streets in a Formula One car. The 6am stunt was part of promotions building up to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on 11 July.

Speaking after his morning commute in the 2009 RB5 racecar Webber said, “Obviously, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity – it’s not every day you get to see the sights of London from an F1 car. This year has once again thrown up some interesting rule changes so any practice the team can get is going to make a difference, no matter where it is.”

I wonder, is a Formula One car exempt from the London congestion charge?

You can see a couple of videos after the jump showing Mark mixing it up with London’s early morning traffic. An interview with Webber is also available on the Red Bull website.

[Source: Red Bull Racing]

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News

Zonda R for Ring record

Zonda R

News has come through from evo that the Zonda R has claimed a new Nürburgring Nordschleife lap “record”. A bit like the sub-7 minute time posted by the Ferrari 599XX, though, it’s hard to know where to pigeon hole the Zonda R as it’s not a road legal car. Maybe just stick it in the bleeding fast category then, because its reported time of 6 minutes 47 seconds is bloody quick.

Quicker than the Ferrari (6:58), of course, but also quicker than the Radical SR8LM (6:48). Marc Basseng, the man at the wheel of the Zonda R, reckons there is more time to be found, as well.

Video of the lap will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

[Source: evo | Pic: frozenspeed]

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News Reviews

MRT Performance track day at Wakefield Park

MRT Performance track day

Recently I spent a day driving around Wakefield Park, near Goulburn. The day was run by MRT Performance and I had a cracking time, it must be said. This was my second MRT track day following a Marulan Driver Training Centre outing back in May.

The circuit at Wakefield is technical enough to keep you chasing for that perfect lap, but not so intimidating to deter newcomers. And with dedicated instructors on hand from MRT the track day experience is a level above the regular “Speed Off The Streets” days. Getting out on track by yourself and going hell for leather might be fun, but if you want to improve your technique, then track time with an experienced instructor is a great start.

For a day of track time, as much driver tuition as you like and catered meals MRT charges $250. It’s pretty good value and the MRT staff generally put on a trouble free day where the emphasis is on fun and learning.

Also in attendance on the day was the Osborne Motorsports race team with their two Mazda 3 MPS production racecars. Sensing a good opportunity Mazda Australia booked a few places with MRT and offered them to some of their more dedicated customers. A great initiative, it must be said, and with any luck other manufacturers are taking note.

There’s a few pics below from the day and an extensive gallery can be seen over at the MRT Performance flickr site.

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News Top Gear

Gran Turismo 5 launch date – 2 November 2010

GT5 - 2 November 2010

The makers of GT5 have finally announced a release date for their new gaming epic. North American buyers can get their hands on GT5 from 2 November 2010. Dates for other markets are yet to be announced.

It’s been almost six years since the release of GT4 so the new version is not only eagerly awaited, but well overdue. The Gran Turismo name fell from the top of most people’s must-have games list a long time ago. Will GT5 restore the title’s credibility?

After the break is a two minute teaser – featuring The Stig on the Top Gear test track – that gives us an idea of what to expect.

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News

Behind the scenes with Subaru at the Nürburgring

Subaru Impreza WRX STI

Following the earlier news about the Subaru Impreza WRX STI here is a behind the scenes look at Subaru’s time at the Nürburgring. The clip runs for just under four minutes and gives a bit more insight into the STI sedan setting a new Nürburgring record for a four-door car.

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News Top Gear

Top Gear, Season 15 – UK premiere on 27 June

Top Gear S15 back 27 June 2010

The guesswork is over and it now appears Season 15 of Top Gear will return to UK screens on Sunday 27 June. At least, that’s the tip given in the latest UK version of Top Gear magazine. Should be a pretty reliable source, then. A bit interesting the boys will be back while the World Cup is still underway, but who are we to complain.

There will be just six episodes in this series, with the final episode scheduled for broadcast in the UK on 1 August.

[via finalgear.com]

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Bugatti News

Son gets daddy’s Bugatti Veyron impounded

Bugatti Veyron 16.4

A 20-year-old Dutchman has had his father’s Bugatti Veyron impounded after doubling the posted speed limit in Rotterdam last month. The Veyron belongs to wealthy businessman Michel Perridon, who is a director of Trust International, former sponsors of the Red Bull Racing and Spyker Formula One teams.

His son, Thomas, was caught doing 160km/h in an 80km/h zone. Strict laws in Holland mean cars can be impounded indefinitely following a serious speeding offence. At this stage it would appear Perridon’s Veyron is no closer to being released. I’m guessing family dinners around the Perridon dining table have been a tense affair of late!

[Source: SMH | Pics: via Autocar | Thanks to Jim for the tip]

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News Reviews

MRT Performance track day at MDTC

MRT Performance track day

On Friday I attended an MRT Performance track day at the Marulan Driver Training Centre. It was my first experience at the tight Marulan track, just off the Hume Highway, and my first track day for almost two years. I was keen to get out there and have some fun.

The day started with a track walk guided by circuit owner and operator Garry Willmington. He spoke about the best lines to take, giving tips tailored to front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive cars. The surface is generally very smooth and the twisty nature of the circuit means speeds are relatively low (see video clips after the jump). This is a good thing as there’s not a lot of run-off in some areas. The track is around one kilometre in length and the ten or so corners keep you very busy.

After the track walk Brett Middleton and his fellow instructors Wayne Boatright and Len McIntosh gave a driver briefing where it was explained only four cars would be allowed on track at a time. This was a welcome initiative as it reduced the risk of on-track contact. To ensure plenty of track time was available for all participants a general limit of four flying laps also applied. Of course, risks to car and driver are apparent at any track day, but this relaxed and open approach from the MRT organisers helped ease any tension that may have existed before anyone took to the track.

The day was split into three open sessions, which roughly ran from 9–11am, 11:15am–1pm and 2pm–4pm. In between, morning tea and lunch were also provided as part of the MRT package.

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News

Torque of the town

Canberra Torque

AUSmotive has taken a contributing role with a new start-up magazine Canberra Torque. The mag is produced by Capital Magazine Publishing who have a strong record in the ACT region. Issue one came out a few weeks ago and 10,000 copies of the mag will be distributed around Canberra every month. It’s free, so if you see a copy make sure you pick it up and have a decent read. Issue two is not far away.

There’s a good mix of stories from the region as well as old, modified and new cars. If you’re not in or around Canberra, you can keep up to date on the magazine’s progress via Facebook.

What does this role mean for AUSmotive? Aside from increased opportunities to test and review new cars there should be no change to the way the website is currently operating. The odd news item will also be adapted from AUSmotive for print, as well.

On the review front I currently have the keys to a Jaguar XF. You’ll be able to read the results in print and online soon.

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News

Art of glass

Auto Windscreens

Below is a brief press release from my UK rounds. It’s from Auto Windscreens and explains how the latest car designs are using more and more glass in manufacturing. In turn this is having an effect on replacement costs and insurance premiums.

Nigel Davies, Auto Windscreens Sales and Marketing Director, explains, “Windscreens of standard production cars are becoming increasingly sophisticated as designers seek to improve aerodynamic efficiency, driving comfort and safety, as well as appearance which, unfortunately, is hitting the pocket of the modern motorist.”

For example, according to Auto Windscreens the costs of windscreens in three popular models has increased by an average of 59%; BMW 5 Series up 50%, Ford Mondeo up 59%, Volkswagen Golf as much as 68%.

It might pay to look into the cost of your car’s windscreen replacement next time you’re assessing your insurance options.

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