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Formula 1

Grand Prix: The Killer Years (TV alert)

Grand Prix - The Killing Years

In May last year we brought your attention to a powerful BBC documentary called Grand Prix: The Killer Years. It concentrates on Formula One from the years 1961–73 and highlights the horrors the sport could bring and the inherent lack of safety at the time.

The full one hour documentary was on YouTube but has now been removed. However, if you missed it or would like to watch it the doco will be broadcast on One tomorrow at 10:50am right before coverage of the Australian Grand Prix commences.

We recommend you take the time to watch it and set your recorders if you can’t watch it live. There’s a short preview after the break.

UPDATE 16 March: It now looks like this program will go to air 30 minutes earlier at 10:20am. Thanks for that One!

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Caterham Ferrari Formula 1 Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Toro Rosso

Quick reference guide to the 2012 F1 season

F1 Jerez pre-season testing, February 2012

We might have seen 12 days of F1 pre-season testing already this year, but today is the eve of the 2012 Formula One season proper. When tomorrow’s free practice sessions go green that will be the first chance we get to see who is fast and who was mucking around during those pre-season tests.

To help prepare you for another mammoth year in F1 we bring you this quick reference guide. We have the full entry list and numbers for all drivers, plus links to our launch articles for all 11 teams. Very useful will be the coloured boxes which indicate which drivers will have a red camera atop their car and who will have yellow.

We’ve also included an introductory video from Pirelli explaining some of the changes they have made to the tyres for the season ahead. And, finally, there’s a handy calendar with the start times for all 20 races converted to Australian Eastern time.

If you still want more information you can learn more about the rule changes introduced this year in the Charlie Whiting Q&A article and The Guardian also has a good team-by-team preview, that is well worth a read.

All that’s left now are questions on what the season will bring: will this be Mark’s year; can Ricciardo edge himself ahead of Jean-Eric Vergne; and, more importantly, can anyone stop Sebastian Vettel?

For easy reference save this link: ausm.tv/f1guide2012

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Formula 1

Charlie Whiting on the 2012 F1 rule changes

F1 Jerez pre-season testing, February 2012

Charlie Whiting is Formula One’s Race Director and is therefore best placed to talk us through the various changes to the Sporting and Technical Regulations for the 2012 F1 season.

Some of the changes introduced this year include a four hour time limit on Grands Prix, a relaxation for tyre usage in Friday free practice sessions, as well as the re-introduction of the “one-move” defending track position rule and the ability for lapped cars to overtake the Safety Car to resume at the tail of the field.

Regarding the Technical Regulations find out why the almost all of the cars have a “platypus” style nose and why F1 is cracking down on aerodynamic gains from exhaust flows and braking systems. Measures have even been taken to reduce the assistance given to wheel gun operators during pit stops.

With thanks to the FIA you can read the full Q&A interview after the break.

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MINI

R56 MINI JCW GP on the way

MINI JCW GP prototype

This blurry screen grab was taken from a brief video showing what appears to be a new MINI JCW GP prototype. The footage was filmed in Germany and provides a few clues with its camouflage covering the large rear wing and revised lower valance/wannabe diffuser. Minor engine improvements are likely, along with model-specific suspension and alloy wheels.

You may also be interested to note it seems the R56 Hatch will be used as the basis for the GP, rather than the Coupé that was used in last year’s Nürburgring 24 hour race.

The upcoming MINI United event in May shapes as the most likely launch date for the ‘GP2’. The original MINI JCW GP was first revealed at the 2005 MINI United gathering. If that’s the case then we only have a couple of months to wait.

[Source: MotoringFile]

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Porsche Video

Chris Harris on the Porsche Boxster S

Chris Harris on the Porsche Boxster S

After his disappointing piece for the BMW M550dX Chris Harris is back in form with this Porsche Boxster S review. For the first time it has him questioning his preference for the mighty 911. That’s some wrap for what he has previously termed a girl’s car. We don’t necessarily agree with that because the Boxster has, generally, always been a cracking drive that rewards drivers, male or female.

However, it’s not all rose coloured glasses for the new 981 Boxster. In his review on Pistonheads Harris had this to say about the car’s electronic steering: “It takes about 10 seconds to spot the steering. The wheel is slightly dead in the hands compared to the old car—it doesn’t feel unnatural, just mute.”

It soon won him over, though: “Point the Boxster into a turn and it does two things completely at odds with the expectations laid-down by that initial numbness. It turns with unusual speed and efficiency, then clips the very point on the road you’d been aiming for. Repeat this process for 15 minutes and, like me, you’ll be left guppy-like with admiration.”

The video is all yours after the break.

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MINI

MINI Paceman becomes Countryman Coupé

MINI Paceman Concept

Take your mind back to the MINI Paceman concept, essentially a two-door Countryman. Sign-off on production was confirmed over a year ago and now we have the model’s official name, which is the Countryman Coupé. Not terribly adventurous, but sounds fair.

Production is expected to commence in November this year and the R61 Countryman Coupé will host a full suite of model variations, including Cooper, Cooper D, Cooper S and Cooper SD, as well as All4 versions of each. And, more than likely, all to be topped off by a 160kW JCW model.

Rumours suggest there will be a few styling tweaks made from concept to production. MINI may even go to the effort of giving the Countryman Coupé individually styled headlights. The biggest change, though, comes in the probable form of a pair of club-doors, one on each side, making the Countryman Coupé a quasi five door model.

[Source: MotoringFile]

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Accessories & Tech Formula 1

Fancy a crack in a professional F1 simulator

I-Way F1 simulator

Today the Top Gear website brings us closer to I-Way World. The what? Well, you know how some people build rigs for their gaming console with race seats and the like. Imagine you had no budget and could build what you wanted. Anything at all.

That’s pretty much what they’ve done at I-Way in Lyon, France. There’s WRC simulators for rally action, LMP set-ups if you want to win Le Mans and, of course, a small grid of F1 simulators as well.

It’ll cost you €90 for a 10 minute spin in the F1 rig, that’s three minutes of quali and a seven minute race. Reckon you can handle it? How’s this for an intro:

“The steering wheel is weighted up to 70kg through corners and the brake pedal up to 200kg at racing speed. You will also experience around 2G through corners so you need to be physically fit to control the car.

“And if you have eaten you may want to wait – about four per cent of people vomit. And don’t look at the side screens. They project 300 frames per second for an impression of speed and make some people unwell. This can also make you want to… use the bathroom.”

Follow the link below for more. And if you’re still up for it then check out the I-Way website.

[Source: Top Gear]

Categories
Bugatti

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse

If you checked out our Geneva Motor Show photo galleries you will have noticed Bugatti is still pumping out new versions of its now seven-year-old Veyron platform. This time it’s the Grand Sport Vitesse.

With 1200hp sourced from its 7.9 litre W16 quad-turbocharged engine it proudly carries the label of the world’s most powerful roadster. Think that 1200hp sounds bonkers? Well how’d you like 1500Nm of torque to go with?

In practice those massive numbers translate to the small number of 2.6 seconds, which is the time required to go past 100km/h. Just 10 seconds dead will see off the standing quarter. Bringing big numbers back into frame the Vitesse has an electronically limted top speed of 375km/h. But if you ask the computers nicely and find yourself a closed track, with a very long straight, you can push it to 410km/h.

If reckon the Grand Sport Vitesse is alright then you’ll need to find around AU$2.2m if you want in.

We really like the Jet Grey colour combo featured above, but even if we had a couple of mill to blow we’re not sure we could do it. But if you could, lend us the keys will you!

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Audi Motorsports

VIDEO: Audi R18 e-tron quattro teaser

Audi R18 e-tron quattro

Audi has released a promo video to promote its new R18 e-tron quattro. If you’re an Audi fan we’re certain you’ll love it.

They’ve chosen to look back at their motorsport heritage, starting, of course, with the Ur-Quattro rally cars, before culminating with their latest Le Mans challenger.

It’s a well produced clip and even if you’re a bit cynical of Audi’s motorsport pedigree we think you’ll give this effort the thumbs up.

[Thanks to Gareth for the tip]

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Motorsports Nissan

Nissan DeltaWing brings Batmobile to life

Nissan DeltaWing

This crazy looking creation is called the Nissan DeltaWing and it will be racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year. It’s an experimental car and has been invited to race by Le Mans organsiers the ACO. It won’t be eligible for any class honours and as such will carry the 0 number.

Nissan is really pushing the track to road technology with the DeltaWing which has been built by Dan Gurney’s All American Racers organisation. The concept behind the DeltaWing is half the weight, half the power, half the engine size, half the fuel economy but all the performance.

The car runs a 1.6 litre DIG-T four cylinder turbocharged engine producing around 300hp. Nissan reckon it will lap the famous La Sarthe circuit in between the LMP1 and LMP2 cars.

Ben Bowlby, Nissan DeltaWing designer, says the engine is just what he wanted, “Nissan has provided us with our first choice engine. It’s a spectacular piece. We’ve got the engine of our dreams: it’s the right weight, has the right power and it’s phenomenally efficient.”

British Sportscar racer Marino Franchitti and Nissan’s reigning FIA GT1 World Champion Michael Krumm have been named as two of the drivers for Le Mans. Nissan will no doubt have more detail for us after the DeltaWing makes its public debut at Sebring in the next couple of days.

In the meantime there’s plenty of pics and an intro video to accompany the official press release after the break.

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Categories
Ferrari

Ferrari ‘F70’ launch plans revealed

Ferrari F70 sketch

Ferrari Chairman, Luca di Montezemolo, has revealed that the company’s Enzo replacement, currently being referred to as the F70, will debut at an invitation only event towards the end of this year. Following that the limited-run hypercar will make a full public debut at either the Detroit or Geneva motor shows.

Speaking to Automotive News Europe at the Geneva Motor Show, di Montezemolo hinted the F70 will be very special indeed, “We want to surprise people not just in terms of price but also with the car itself.”

Of course, Ferrari rocked up to Geneva last week with the new F12berlinetta. With 740hp on tap from its 6.3 litre V12 that is the most powerful production Ferrari ever. Hang on to your hats, though, because the F70 is expected to have as much as 920hp from a 7.3 litre V12.

[Source: Europe Automotive News | Pic: WCF/Larson]

Categories
Porsche

VIDEO: The new Porsche Boxster

Fresh from its public debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show we bring you a series of videos showcasing the new Porsche Boxster. We start above with an official clip featuring Achim Stejskal, Director of the Porsche Museum, who explains a bit about the history of Porsche roadsters and its relevance to the 981 Boxster.

After the break there’s another promo clip before adding two videos from the Geneva stand. We’re big fans of the new Boxster here at AUSmotive, we reckon it looks great, it’s a bit lighter, has a wider track and can lap the Nürburgring in less than 8 minutes. We reckon those facts and these videos will help you get on board too.

Porsche Boxster

  • Engine: 2.7l flat six
  • Peak power: 195kW
  • 0–100km/h: 5.7 seconds (PDK)

Porsche Boxster S

  • Engine: 3.4l flat six
  • Peak power: 232kW
  • 0–100: 5.0 seconds (PDK)*
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