Categories
Formula 1

Austin given one week to save 2012 USGP

Circuit of the Americas building progress

The photo above showing building progress at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, was taken one week ago. Since then work has been suspended and race organisers now have just one week to save the future of the 2012 United States Grand Prix.

There’s been talk that Austin organisers would need to have their house in order by 7 December when the FIA’s World Motor Sports Council will meet to ratify the 2012 F1 calendar. Speaking to Reuters Bernie Ecclesetone said, “It needs to be before that. We don’t need any deadlines, having to thrash around at the last minute to do something. It’s gone on long enough.

“They (the Texas circuit owners) have got next week anyway. We are going to be in Brazil so they can come back next week.”

Ecclestone was equally forthright when asked if his recent words were part of normal ongoing negotiations, “What do you want me to do, wait until next year? To put all our cars on it, run around the circuit and everything and come back with no money? The teams want paying.

“It’s not brinkmanship, it never has been with me. I’ve been trying to do a deal now with these people for 18 months or more…if they had the money, I’m sure there would be no problem.”

Categories
Formula 1

Lego and F1: A perfect match

Lego Formula One cars

Lego is cool. Formula One is cool. Well, then, they must be a perfect match, don’t you think!

It would seem there is a community out there that agree. Check out the detail of these cars. Classic F1 cars from Lotus, Ferrari, Tyrell and Brabham are shown in the image above. Below you’ll see an almost perfectly formed McLaren, along with a close up of the famous six-wheeled Tyrell.

For even more Lego F1 wonders, make sure you follow the source link. We applaud these masters and thank them for bringing a smile to our faces.

[Source: Motorsport Retro | Pics: Luca Rosconi]

Categories
Fiat

Sweet dreams

Fiat USA has come up with a hot and steamy approach to advertise its 500 Abarth. We’re sure most will approve.

[Thanks to Tim for the tip]

Categories
Citroen WRC

Hirvonen joins Loeb at Citroën

Sebastien Loeb and Mikko Hirvonen

We bring you the rather intriguing news that Mikko Hirvonen will be racing alongside Sebastien Loeb at the Citroën WRC team in 2012. Hirvonen leaves Ford after six years with a record of 14 wins and twice being runner up to Loeb in the championship (2009 and 2011).

Hirvonen switching camps isn’t the real story here; it’s the fact there was a drive available at all. Despite being just one year into a three year deal and winning five out of his team’s 10 rallies this year Sebastien Ogier has been shown the door.

Ogier won the JWRC title for Citroën in 2008 and has been seen as the heir to Loeb’s WRC throne. Team orders reared their head at Rally Germany when a fast-charging Ogier was told ease the pressure on Loeb who held the lead. Eventually Ogier had his way winning the event after Loeb’s chances suffered at the hands of a puncture. Afterwards Ogier expressed his dissatisfaction by stating, “At least there is some justice in the sport.”

It’s not clear where Ogier will be going in 2012 but we expect Volkswagen will take a keen interest and may choose to secure the French ace for their 2013 assault. Ford, obviously, looms as a possible destination for Ogier and you can bet he would love nothing more than to knock off Loeb and Citroën for the blue oval.

Citroën’s official press release can be read after the break.

Categories
Motor Shows Porsche

LA 2011: Porsche Panamera GTS

Porsche Panamera GTS

Porsche has added to its Panamera range at the LA Motor Show by revealing the GTS. Sitting between the range-topping Turbo and 4S, it is powered by the company’s familiar normally aspirated 4.8 litre V8.

For the GTS the engine has been given a bit of a tweak and now produces 430hp (316kW) and 520Nm, an increase of 30hp/20Nm over the 4S. With its all-wheel drive system and the standard 7-speed PDK gearbox Porsche say this big whale can reach 100km/h in 4.5 seconds. Helping to slow things down when required are the powerful brakes from the Turbo model.

The Panamera GTS goes on sale in February, Australian pricing is yet to be announced.

UPDATE: Porsche Cars Australia have confirmed the Panamera GTS be ready for delivery in March 2012 and you’ll need $315,000 if you want to play along.

UPDATE 18 November: Four new pics added below.

Categories
Motor Shows Volkswagen

LA 2011: Volkswagen Beetle R Concept

Volkswagen Beetle R Concept

Volkswagen has brought its Beetle R Concept along to the LA Motor Show. We first saw this car at the Frankfurt show back in September. Since then not a lot has changed; some fancy new computer generated pics, plus they have also given us a reasonable look inside.

Racing style bucket seats, familiar to the optional seats available in the Golf R adorn the Beetle R Concept. Aside from that it’s the same ‘Serious Grey’ coloured machine we’ve already seen.

Categories
Motor Shows Subaru

LA 2011: Subaru BRZ Concept-STI

Subaru BRZ Concept

After teasing us a couple of weeks ago Subaru has now officially revealed its BRZ Concept-STI. And we’re pleased to say they have made a fine looking car as well; something Subaru hasn’t been too adept at in recent years.

For the moment, though, Subaru is keeping major technical detail for the Tokyo Motor Show and will reveal all towards the end of this month.

They have told us their Toybaru concept has a carbon fibre roof, resulting in “one of the lowest possible centres of gravity compared to other cars on the market today.” The familar blue paintwork is actually not familiar at all, it’s a new-generation colour called WR Blue Pearl II.

Not much else to report for now, but we’ll be back with more in a couple of weeks.

Categories
Formula 1

Building at Circuit of the Americas suspended

Circuit of the Americas

Building work at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas has been suspended indefinitely and the future of the 2012 United States Grand Prix is now in serious doubt. Bernie Ecclestone raised concerns over the event on the weekend. When asked about the future of the USGP he replied, “I don’t know. We’re trying. It’s a bit of an uphill struggle there at the moment.

“There are two parties, one is building a track, the other has the contract and they’ve forgotten to talk to each other.”

Further adding to the concerns are new doubts over funding from the Texas government. An annual contribution of $25 million was expected prior to each race, but now Susan Combs who controls the state’s finances has said, “When the United States Grand Prix was formally announced, it was the only Formula 1 race scheduled in the US. During the past 18 months, organizers have taken many steps to bring high-profile motor racing to Central Texas, including the development of the Circuit of the Americas, and the announcement of the global MotoGP and V8 Supercar race series starting in 2013.

“The recent announcement of an annual Formula 1 race in New Jersey is a concern, as additional races have the potential to reduce the number of attendees to a Texas race, thereby decreasing the economic impact. Additionally, the reports of a slowdown in construction at the Circuit of the Americas, and recently publicized disagreements between the race rights-holder and the circuit developers have prompted speculation about whether the Austin race will even occur.”

Categories
F1 in pictures Ferrari Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in pictures

2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Just in case you haven’t forgotten all about the snore fest that was Lewis Hamilton’s redemption here’s 90-odd pics to help you relive the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. There’s a nice mix of day and night shots, with a few colourful sunset shots in between. Actually a few of the shots illstrate well the undulations of the Yas Marina circuit; something television tends to mask too well.

Categories
Bathurst 12 Hour Ferrari

Ferrari 458 GT3 ‘smashes Bathurst lap record’

Allan Simonsen, Ferrari 458 GT3, Mount Panorama

Official word of Allan Simonsen’s new lap record at Bathurst has come through from Ateco Automotive, importers of Ferrari into Australia, confirming the new benchmark of 2:04.956 set in the 458 GT3.

Simonsen, who will race a Ferrari 458 GT3 at the Bathurst 12 Hour next year, said afterwards, “This car is damn fast! Given this is our first test, it’s certainly nice to break the lap record finally and we did it in style.

“The power and the chassis are so complementary and I’m feeling really comfortable in the car and with the team.

“These new generation cars are all going to have a fast pace, and there’s no doubt the (Bathurst) 12 Hour is going to be very fast and incredibly competitive – it’s an event I’m definitely looking forward to on the calendar.”

It certainly looks as though the Bathurst 12 Hour is being taken more seriously by high-level European teams. That’s great news for local motorsport fans.

Categories
Ferrari

Ferrari 599XX EVO says hello

Ferrari 599XX EVO

The track-only Ferrari 599XX is already pretty damn awesome. It has a raucous V12 good for 540kW and can lap the Ring in less than 7 minutes. What, then, do we make of this new Evolution version? What has Ferrari done to make it better than the regular XX? There’ll be more power, obviously. There’s a few new winglets and aero tweaks. Not to mention that side exit exhaust visible in the pic above.

The 599XX EVO was unveiled at the Finali Mondiali event on the weekend apparently, and will be a regular at Corse Clienti events. It’s due for a public reveal the the 2012 Geneva Motor Show next March.

[Source: WCF]

Categories
Volkswagen

Old skool Golf defies laws of physics

900hp Mk2 Golf

This just about the most awesome DIY drag car we’ve seen. Clearly, being an old skool Volkswagen Golf, it gets a big tick here at AUSmotive HQ. But it’s more that this innocent and humble looking Mk2 is hiding a 16 valve 1.8 litre engine with a monster Garrett GTX4202R turbo bolted on. How does 900hp sound! That’s around 1hp per kilogram.

Throw in a 4 motion all-wheel drive system and you end up with a Veyron-basher; 0-100km/h in 2.7 seconds and, get this, 0-250km/h in just 8.87 seconds.

Take the jump to see this beast in action.

[via autoblog]