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Formula 1

A video history of Williams F1

Williams F1 video history

With 113 Grand Prix victories and 16 world titles (nine constructors, seven drivers) Williams F1 is one of Formula One’s most successful constructors. Only Ferrari and McLaren can boast better records.

Of course, Williams F1 holds a special place in the hearts of Australian motoring fans with Alan Jones and the FW07 combining forces to win the 1980 constructors’ and drivers’ titles. The team dominated large portions of the 1980s and 1990s in what was its golden era.

It has been seven long years since Williams F1 last won a race (2004 Brazilian GP) and if you’re new to the sport you’d have no idea they were often the team to beat.

The death of Ayrton Senna at the wheel of an FW16 is an obvious low point for the team. And, unfortunately, 2011 won’t be remembered too fondly, either, thanks to a less than spectacular debut on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

A short video history of Williams F1 can be seen after the break. Perhaps Sir Frank needs to watch it as well, just so he can remember what it was like to smile on a Sunday afternoon.

[via Motorsport Retro]

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Formula 1

Daniel Ricciardo confirmed to race in India

Daniel Ricciardo, 2011 British GP

Hispania Racing has confirmed Daniel Ricciardo will join Narain Karthikeyan for racing action at the 2011 Indian Grand Prix. When Ricciardo was granted his drive with HRT it was announced it would be the young Aussie who would make way for the 34-year-old Indian driver. However, for reasons that have yet to be made clear it is the more experienced Tonio Liuzzi who will miss the next race.

Colin Kolles, HRT Team Principal, explains, “Having Narain Karthikeyan, the first Indian driver in F1 history, and Tata with us makes it feel like a home race. Narain is a talented driver and we are proud to be going down this path with him. For this single event, Narain will be driving alongside Daniel Ricciardo.

“I have asked Tonio Liuzzi to step aside for the Indian GP in order to allow driving programs with Ricciardo and Karthikeyan to be completed. I have to thank Tonio for his professional approach and attitude.”

HRT’s full press release, which includes comments from Karthikeyan and Ricciardo is available in full after the break.

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Motorsports Porsche

VIDEO: Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV

You may have gathered the Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV was something of a big deal. This intro video above, direct from Porsche, helps explain what all the fuss is about. After the break we’ve selected a few more videos from non-official sources that also capture the vibe. If you want to see around 2000 photos from the event then head on over to the Pelican Parts website.

[Thanks to Todd & Al for the tips]

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Motorsports Porsche

VIDEO: Porsche 962 racing at Laguna Seca

Hotchkis Porsche 962

There’s been quite a lot of great material to follow in the wake of the Porsche Rennsport IV event held at Laguna Seca last week. One of the better clips we’ve come across so far is this footage of Mark Hotchkis at the wheel of the family Porsche 962. There’s more camera angles than you can poke a stick at and the audio is not too bad either.

Take the jump to see your 4 minutes 39 seconds of awesome.

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Tesla Top Gear

Top Gear sees back of Tesla libel claims

Tesla Roadster

British high court judge Justice Tugendhat has ruled Jeremy Clarkson and Top Gear did not mislead the public over the travelling range of the electric-powered Tesla sportscar.

“In my judgment, the words complained of are wholly incapable of conveying any meaning at all to the effect that the claimant [Tesla] misled anyone,” Justice Tugendhat said.

“This is because there is a contrast between the style of driving and the nature of the track as compared with the conditions on a public road […] are so great that no reasonable person could understand that the performance on the [Top Gear] track is capable of a direct comparison with a public road.”

However, the Tesla v Top Gear case remains ongoing while the fight over malicious falsehood claims continues. Included in the claims is Tesla’s belief that staged footage was used to deliberately portray the Roadster to have poor battery performance.

The original episode aired in 2008 (Series 12, Episode 7) but can still be accessed via the BBC iPlayer website. This, say Tesla, results in a “continuing impact” on its reputation. Top Gear, of course, say that’s rubbish (as outlined previously by the show’s Executive Producer).

[Source: The Guardian]

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Mercedes-Benz

Oh yes, the SLS AMG Black Series is coming!

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series prototype

Last month it emerged that Mercedes-Benz was keen to make a Black Series version of its SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’. And here’s the spy shot to prove it. The shot was taken close to the Benz development facility near the Nürburgring.

Expect the SLS Black to hang on to its naturally aspirated 6.2 litre V8. Of course, there’ll be a healthy power increase; standard power is 562hp and best estimates suggest you pick a number between 600–650hp when the SLS goes Black.

There’ll be meaningful cosmetic enhancements, too. By that we mean its widened body kit will be made of carbon fibre which will help reduce the car’s overall weight. Weight reduction will also be aided by racing style seats, common to other Black Series models.

[Source: Car]

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BMW

BMW F32 4 Series Coupe spied for the first time

BMW 4 Series prototype

With the recent launch of the new BMW F30 3 Series it is timely that, less than a week later, we’re seeing a new 4 Series Coupé for the first time. While the F32 prototype is heavily disguised you can get a feel for its profile and overall shape.

BMW will be introducing 4 Series nomenclature in a bid to take the coupé and convertible models further upmarket from their saloon origins. The F32 coupé is still some time away with 2013 or 2014 being mentioned for the official launch.

As to be expected the 4 Series will run pretty much F30 3 Series drivetrains, although expect a few enhancements to justify any possible price increases.

Also to follow on the F3x platform are the F33 convertible, F34 Gran Turismo and F35 four door coupé.

[Source: F30POST]

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News Porsche

Porsche 962 in Melbourne for Motorclassica

Porsche 962

The annual Motorclassica Concours d’Elegance and Classic Motor Show is being held in Melbourne this weekend. In fact the doors open this morning. We gave you a teaser for Motorclassica during our AIMS coverage.

Yesterday this stunning and genuinely classic Porsche 962 arrived in readiness for the show. The 962 dominated sportscar racing in the 1980s, claiming the Le Mans 24 hour race in 1986 and 1987, among many other titles. The Dauer 962 won Le Mans in 1994 as well.

Derek Bell is a five-time winner at Le Mans, his last two victories were at the wheel of the 962. After the break there’s two more photos and a short clip. We like the following text from the description of the video:

“Watched as this classic 962 was unloaded from a tray table truck. Once unloaded, Derek Bell strode over, jumped in, started her up and casually drove into the Royal Exhibition Building.”

[Thanks to Chris for the pics & video]

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Formula 1

It’s the eye of the driver

Lucas di Grassi

So many times, it happens too fast
You change your passion for glory
Don’t lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive

We’re sure that’s what Lucas di Grassi was singing to himself when he completed this installation lap with a camera mounted over one of his eyes.

His discomfort was our gain, for he gave us a view very few of us will ever get to experience—a driver’s eye view from the seat of a Formula 1 car.

Talking about his uniquely documented installation lap at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, di Grassi said, “I had to drive with only one eye open as the camera was blocking my other eye, quite tricky.”

See for yourself by watching the clip after the break.

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MINI

Prodrive behind Countryman WRC for the road

MINI WRC

Back in January this year we gave you the scoop that MINI was planning a road-going version of its Countryman WRC. It would stand to reason that Prodrive would be the company to turn their racecar into a road car and that’s exactly what will be happening.

Dave Richards, Prodrive boss says the transformation makes sense, “Mini obviously has the Cooper and John Cooper Works brands and it will want to work out ways of harnessing this campaign, its rally heritage and those giant-killing acts of the 1960s through its road cars.”

While our tip that the road-going Countryman WRC could be on show at Frankfurt didn’t come off, a prototype version of the car does exist and will feature a unique widebody to set it apart from other Countryman models.

It currently has its engine boosted to 230bhp through the use of a Milltek exhaust system and a Superchips ECU reflash. Apparently the chase for more power is on and a larger turbo is under consideration.

We like where this is heading and look forward to learning more as the car’s development progresses.

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
Ford

Tanner Foust on the Focus RS500 at the Ring

US motoring identity and drift king Tanner Foust was lucky enough to be sent over to the Nürburgring and handed the keys to a Ford Focus RS500 and told to go and enjoy the Nordschleife.

In standard form the RS500 sends 350hp to its front wheels, but Foust says this car has been boosted for even more power. It’s bordering on insane to be honest.

With ingredients like that we have to say we’re a little disappointed with Tanner’s output in this clip. We wanted moar power, moar speed and moar thrills!

Categories
BMW

BMW F80 M3 gets serious

BMW F80 M3 prototype

Some great spy shots of the next-generation BMW M3 have emerged over at F30POST. They show the F80M in saloon form (there’s a coupé too) with some funky data gathering wheels on approach to the BMW M center in Nürburg. Of course, that means the car has been given a right seeing to on the Nordschleife as well.

Nobody is really offering any firm predictions on what engine the next M3 will feature. There’s been talk of a triple turbo six cylinder, as well as more conventional discussion about V8 power. We reckon they might go back to a six of some sort, although doubt the possibility of a V6; based on tradition more than anything else.

Word is the F80 M3 will hit the motor show circuit around 12 months from now, with a sales launch early-ish in 2013.

There’s a couple of extra pics and a some earlier video after the break. If you’d like to see more pics in larger sizing, then follow the source link below.

[Source: F30POST]

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