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Audi Motorsports

Reliving Audi’s 10th 24 Hours of Le Mans victory

Audi R18 TDI at 2011 24h of Le Mans

The 2012 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is just two weeks away now. Last year’s race was an epic in every sense of the word. Audi will defend their title, and chase their 11th win, with the R18 e-tron quattro hybrid. Before we get stuck into this year’s race, here’s a gallery of images showcasing the winning #2 Audi of Benoît Tréluyer, Marcel Fässler and André Lotterer.

You’ll recall Audi released their Truth in 24 II film, about the 2011 race, a bit over a week ago. The full movie has now been added to YouTube by Audi of America, and we’ve embedded that below for you as well.

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Motorsports

World Time Attack Challenge 2012

World Time Attack Challenge 2012

World Time Attack Challenge 2012 has a new promo out for their next event which is scheduled for 10–11 August at Sydney Motorsport Park. If you’re not really sure what the World Time Attack Challenge is, then just watch the video!

You can also check out footage of last year’s winner, ‘Tarzan’ Yamada, who lapped the Grand Prix circuit in 1:28.851.

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Advertising feature

Car Care tips: Washing and drying using the two bucket method

Car Care Products - detailing products for the perfectionist

AUSmotive is pleased to welcome the support of Car Care Products. Each month we will feature an instructional how-to video aimed at helping you to keep your car looking immaculate. This month we start with the basics: the two-bucket washing method.

Swirl-marks, spider webs and light scratches are easy to put into your car’s paint surface during the process of washing and drying your car, if incorrect techniques and products are used.

Those light marks that are easy to see in the sun are usually caused by dirt and grit particles being rubbed against the paint surface and actually ‘scratching’ it permanently.

Washing and drying your car safely should be easy if you use quality products and good techniques. The 2 bucket method combined with a microfibre mitt and waffle weave drying towel should virtually eliminate swirls and leave your car looking great.

In addition if your car’s paint is ‘protected’ with a quality sealant or wax then these swirl-marks are harder to put in, mostly because dirt cannot stick to the car as easily and therefore more will rinse off before washing.

A good way to get yourself on the way to a cleaner car is with the Car Care Products Basics Gift Pack, just $64.95 and packed with the essentials you need in a convenient carry case.

Stay in touch with Car Care Products on Facebook for our latest news and offers.

Categories
Citroen WRC

Mikko Hirvonen unhurt after spectacular crash

Mikko Hirvonen, Citroen DS3 WRC

Citroën World Rally Team driver Mikko Hirvonen and co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen have walked away without injury following a high-speed crash on Thursday. The pair were testing their Citroën DS3 WRC racecar in Tuscany, Italy, as part of their preparation for the upcoming Rally New Zealand.

A Citroën team member explained: “Mikko rolled a lot of times, the accident was high-speed. The most important thing is that Mikko and Jarmo are both OK. They are back at the hotel tonight. The test is finished.”

Amazingly, the crash has been dramatically captured on video (see below), where the person filming was just metres away when Hirvonen left the road causing his car to rollover a number of times.

[Source: Eurosport]

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Accessories & Tech Safety Issues Vauxhall

An airbag didn’t save my life

Opel Insignia Euro NCAP crash test

In mid-November 2010 Ron Smith, a Scottish engineer from South Bents in northern England, was involved in a six-car accident. The airbag in his Vauxhall Insignia deployed and it appeared he had survived the crash without suffering any serious injuries.

However, during the impact the airbag was cut open by a slice of glass and some white powder was expelled and subsequently inhaled by Smith. Soon after, he began suffering from shortness of breath and coughing fits.

His wife explained: “We used to walk everywhere and he was always out every night with the dog, but he got so bad that he couldn’t even walk a few steps without my help.”

Smith was admitted to hospital on 5 January 2011, where he was given a chest x-ray and placed in intensive care. Mr Smith, aged 59, died on 31 January 2011, just over two months from the original accident.

An inquest into Mr Smith’s death took place and South Tyneside Coroner Terence Carney declared: “I accept that the death was attributed to bronchial pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis and that it was developed after this incident in November, and the deceased’s exposure to noxious substances.

“This man died as a result of this incident and more pointedly because of the explosion of his airbag, and this death should be recorded as misadventure.”

It’s believed to be the first documented case of a person dying from the inhalation of chemicals discharged from an airbag.

An airbag exploding is quite a violent procedure and is set off when sodium azide is heated to release nitrogen gas. Sodium azide is very toxic, but is mixed with other chemicals to lessen its effect. Looks like car manufacturers may need to go back to the drawing board.

[Source: The Shields Gazette & The Huffington Post | Pic: Euro NCAP]

Categories
WRC

Are we heading for a World Rally Crisis?

2012 Acropolis Rally

Yesterday’s bad news for the WRC that Nokia ended their sponsorship of the category has potentially been topped by new cash demands placed on race organisers by the FIA.

The 2013 WRC Calendar is expected to be ratified by the FIA when the World Motor Sport Council meets on 15 June; the same date the FIA is set to announce who will fill the void of promoter for the WRC. However, by 8 June all race organisers wanting to be part of the 2013 season have to commit to paying the FIA an extra €100,000 to cover the costs for timing, safety tracking and television production. If they fail to pay, then they will be deleted from next year’s calendar.

A person associated with a current WRC, but wishing to remain anonymous has been quoted by Autosport as saying: “We are angry about this. This does not feel right. Don’t forget, it’s not just the money we have to pay. Last year, with North One Sport [former WRC promoters], we got the timing and tracking for free when we gave rights for our television and we were paid €25,000 by NOS.

“So actually, we’re having to find €125,000. And this is on top of the €140,000 calendar fee we already have to pay. Suddenly, it’s more than a quarter of a million [Euros] to be a round. This is the complete reverse of what we had last year.

“I think if they [the FIA] expect everybody to sign and be happy, they are very wrong.”

Another unnamed organiser said: “Can the FIA guarantee we will have the best television station? Can they guarantee we will have many million people watching the sport around the world? And we don’t know what we will get for [timing and tracking] next season.”

For the last 10 years timing and tracking has been provided by Stage One Technology and it would appear organisers have been happy with their service. You can see why they’re asking the FIA for such assurances.

So, there’s some very interesting days ahead for the WRC. For a quality rant about the current situation, head over to specialist site World Rally Blog, that should give you some idea of the depth of passion and antipathy felt towards the FIA by rallyistas at the moment.

[Source: Autosport]

Categories
Formula 1 Video

VIDEO: 1955 Monaco Grand Prix highlights

1955 Monaco Grand Prix

If you ever needed a reminder of how far the sport of Formula One has come since its inception this highlights video from the 1955 Monaco Grand Prix would be a pretty good place to start.

The race was won by the unheralded Ferrari driver Maurice Trintignant. It’s also notable for being the last race for F1 legend Alberto Ascari; he was killed a few days later in a testing accident at Monza.

In the 1950s the Monaco street circuit was a bit different to the course Mark Webber won on last weekend. La Rascasse didn’t exist, for example, and the tunnel was much shorter, to name two of the changes.

Check out the video after the break, we’re sure you’ll get a kick out of it.

[via Motor Sport Retro]

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Categories
Mercedes-Benz Video

Is a 544hp G63 AMG actually any good?

Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG

Let’s get one thing straight, Mercedes-Benz G Wagens are cool. Slightly odd, but cool. Why? Well, they just are.

So, what happens when you stuff a 544hp 5.5 litre twin-turbo V8 under the bonnet? Thankfully Chris Harris and Harry Metcalfe are on hand to find out.

Videos from both men can be seen after the break; they bring you 20 minutes of evaluation. Of course, neither take the G63 AMG off-road, instead they attack some twisties and wreak some havoc on the Autobahn.

Well, not much else about these cars, especially with that engine, makes a lot of sense. We think Metcalfe sums it up best with these two comments:

“God, it could understeer for Germany.”

“It’s not really a car, it’s a toy. And it’s a very, very good toy.”

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Categories
Formula 1

Bernie blames KERS for Williams fire

Williams F1 garage, 2012 Spanish GP

The official investigation into the cause of the fire that engulfed the Williams garage after the Spanish Grand Prix is still ongoing, but that hasn’t stopped the forthright F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone from speaking his mind.

“I think the fire was a lot to do with that kinetic energy thing which sparked,” Bernie said. “It should never have been introduced. It’s an expensive secret because nobody knows anything about it. The public don’t know and don’t care.”

So Bernie doesn’t like KERS, then. No, really, he doesn’t.

“You could get rid of KERS and it wouldn’t change the racing,” he told CityAM.

“Mercedes has got I think 22 trucks so if they reduced two of those you wouldn’t need to use electric motors in the pit lane. The trucks are bigger polluters than the cars.

“I’m happy that the teams want to preserve all of that for their sponsors and brand image but they shouldn’t talk rubbish.”

[Source: PlanetF1]

Categories
Auctions & Sales Ferrari News

Ferrari launches auction for earthquake victims

Ferrari 599XX evo

Ferrari has announced it will auction a number of items to raise money in response to the recent earthquakes in northern Italy. They’re not messing about either. Up for grabs will be a very exclusive and track-only 599XX Evo hyper car valued at around €1m (AU$1.27m).

Supporting the headline act will be a complete V8 Formula One engine, racing overalls and helmets signed by Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, and a suite of other racing memorabilia.

Further details will be announced in the coming days on the Ferraristore website.

UPDATE: Ferrari’s has been in touch to let us know they have upgraded their offer; after previously stating they would auction a plain old rare 599XX, they will now put up a more extreme and very, very rare 599XX Evo up for sale.

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Formula 1 Video

VIDEO: Sauber’s cutaway F1 car explained

Sauber F1 cutaway

This is probably the coolest behind the scenes F1 video you will see all year. Sauber’s chief designer, Matt Morris, explains how a modern day Formula One car is put together using this very cool full size cutaway racecar. Everything is pretty tightly packaged, including the driver, which you will see when Sergio Perez is placed inside the cutaway.

It’s taken Sauber two years to put this display together and they deserve our thanks and admiration. Great job guys!

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Categories
BMW

BMW F32 4 Series spied again

BMW F32 4 Series prototype

A prototype for the BMW 4 Series coupé (F32) has recently been seen in action at the Nürburgring. F30Post has a heap of pics and a video, as well, which can be seen after the break.

With so much camouflage it’s difficult to learn too much about the finer details of the next-gen 3 Series-based coupé, but the overall profile view looks rather nice, we think.

It’s expected the F32 coupé will go on sale in the latter half of next year.

[Source: F30Post]

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