Now that The Dark Knight Rises has hit the silver screen it’s timely to remind you of the impending Batmobile documentary. Who doesn’t love a good Batmobile? After the break you can see the three minute preview which includes a few brief interviews with key players and is sure to whet your appetite for all things batty.
Lucas di Grassi brings us a second installment with his driver’s eye view camera. Now under the employ of Pirelli, di Grassi takes us on a lap of the highly respected Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium. By taking us into the driver’s seat we get a great insight into the rises, falls and blind corners experienced on this great track.
We like this quote that Lucas posted with the YouTube video: “I had to drive with only one eye open as the camera was blocking my other eye, quite tricky.”
If you’ve spent any time trawling YouTube watching motorsport videos from around the globe there’s a fair chance you’ll have come across the work of Mattzel89. If you haven’t, or even if you have, here is 16 minutes of superb editing and motor racing highlights.
There’s something for fans of all top line motorsports. The selection of music is perfectly matched and the sequences have a really nice rhythm, right down to the poignant ending.
If nothing else it’s a great way to start your weekend.
That’s Chris Harris hard at work in the Pagani Huayra. And we do think he was genuinely hard at work too.
With its bespoke AMG engine pumping out well over 700 horsepower and more than 1000Nm of torque—yes, 1000!—Harris says the only way to beat the feeling is to “buy yourself a needle with some brown stuff in it.”
Here’s a nice video showcasing one of the world’s great motoring icons, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL ‘Gullwing’. This 1957 model is genuinely worthy of being treated as museum piece. Yet, it could be argued the car’s owner adds to his Gullwing’s provenance by driving it regularly and not handling it with kid gloves.
It’s colour is a perfect complement to its era. It’s classic curves still seduce today, almost 60 years after the 300SL made its debut. And that 3.0 litre straight six doesn’t half sound bad either.
[Source: Depth of Speed via Motor Sport Retro]
At least an hour before its scheduled debut Ken Block’s Gymkhana FIVE has been released via YouTube. Set in San Francisco, the sub title sets the bar by stating it’s “an epic use of an iconic city.”
Block’s latest Gymkhana franchise includes all the tricks you’ve seen before, including a cameo from Travis Pastrana as the latest donut dummy. We also quite liked the split screen helmet cam sequence and the airborne cornering stunt.
Enjoy!
[Thanks to Joel for the tip]
If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty and have a weekend messing about with a cruddy old car coming up then this video will provide you with all the DIY inspiration you need.
Featuring a Triumph Spitfire engine rebuild, captured by still photography, the man behind the spanners proved he’s equally adept behind a computer as well. This animated YouTube masterpiece is the result. Enjoy!
[Thanks to Tim for the tip]
Rufus Blacklock, take a bow. Thank you. You have created one of the coolest F1 animations we’re likely to see.
He’s taken a line illustration of the cars from every championship winning constructor since 1950 and created what is a truly awesome video.
Also included is Blacklock’s infographic applying the evolution of technology in F1 over the same period, using a circuit map of Monza as a timeline. Very clever.
[Source: biplaneblues | Thanks to Tim for the tip]
Spanish banking giant and high-profile F1 sponsor Santander has built on the push for a London Grand Prix, which already has Bernie’s blessing, by producing a suite of lavish promotional items. All of which were announced at a special launch event late last week. Check out the dedicated LGP2012 website for more.
As you’d expect the creators have managed to ensure the 5.15km street circuit takes the cars past as many of London’s famous sights as possible. We can’t ever see this fantasy track happening—the disruption to central London would be unbearable, not to mention dangers of threading the needle at Admiralty Arch. However, as publicity stunt, this one is hard to beat.
You can see a full track map after the break, including a 2000px version. Also included are British drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button talking through a lap around London and a simulation of an onboard lap. All well worth a look.
Here’s a short interview with Mark Webber from the weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. There’s no driving, in the real world at least, mostly it’s Mark doing a good sell job on why the FoS is a must see event for petrolheads. A visit to the Earl of March’s backyard in West Sussex certainly on our bucket list, that’s for sure!
If you watched any of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Eurosport a couple of weeks back you’ll have no doubt appreciated the ultra motion camera work. Seeing the cars flex and wobble about—as well as the obligatory flaming Ferrari, of course—was quite something.
If you missed it, or if you just want to watch it all again then you’re on luck. Grease & Gears has compiled together 15 minutes of slow mo action for you; check it out after the break.
[Source: Grease & Gears | Thanks to Tim for the tip]
German filmmakers Stereoscreen returned to the Nürburgring in 2102 to follow the fortunes of the lead BMWs at the 24 hour race. Despite showing great pace the BMW Team Schubert Z4 GT3s couldn’t quite get the job done in 2012. A few mechanical gremlins put paid to that.
However, the men behind the cameras, Nick and Tim Hahne, have definitely succeeded in bringing us closer to the action. Theirs is a superb short film which starts early on the morning of the race and takes us right through until the chequered flag.
The speed, the action, the colour and the noises of the 24 hour race. All have been captured with great skill and honesty.
BMW Team Schubert say they will be back chasing their dreams in 2013. Let’s hope they bring the Hahnes along for the ride.