Categories
Formula 1

Formula One: 30 years on, will history repeat?

Alan Jones

The official Formula 1 website has an article reminding us 2010 is the 30th anniversary of Alan Jones‘ world championship triumph. When you read the opening paragraph it could easily be re-used for Mark Webber.

“His belligerence was partly a by-product of a long and hard struggle to make it to Formula One racing in the first place. Once there, he was considered little more than a journeyman driver, until he teamed up with the then equally undistinguished Williams Red Bull team.”

See what I mean.

This weekend sees Webber return to Interlagos to defend his Brazilian Grand Prix trophy. A repeat of his 2009 victory would cut Fernando Alonso’s title lead by at least seven points and ensure the final race at Abu Dhabi will decide the winner.

If you were writing the script, the return of an Australian to the summit of Formula One would be a nice fit 30 years after the last Aussie achieved the ultimate prize. It’s worth noting, then, Jones won the last two Grands Prix of his title winning season. A repeat of that stat for Mark Webber would be a wonderful way to cap off his best F1 season to date.

Incidentally, today is Alan Jones’ birthday. So, happy birthday to you AJ, may all your wishes come true. And those of all Australian F1 fans, as well!

[Source: Formula1.com | Pic: AlanJones.com.au]

Categories
Ferrari

Ferrari World previewed in Abu Dhabi

Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi

That Maranello red elephant in the desert is close to opening in Abu Dhabi. Otherwise known as Ferrari World, the theme park was given a press preview last week. At over 200,000 square metres this is one big park. Inside you’ll see all the expected Ferrari guff, as well as a few roller coasters and the like.

The official opening to the public has been delayed until 4 November as mark of respect to the passing of Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi, Emir of Ras al-Khaimah, one of the United Arab Emirates.

Ferrai World expect the visitor split will be 60:40 in favour local residents to tourists. Being placed alongside the Yas Marina Grand Prix track will certainly help boost overseas tourist numbers. Ticket prices range from AED165 ($45) and go right up to AED375 ($105) which includes priority access for all rides.

Will this ambitious project become a roaring success, or is it going to be a massive failure? Tell us what you think. There’s a couple of videos and a few pics after the break to help you make up your mind.

More information is available at the official Ferrari World Abu Dhabi website.

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Categories
BMW

BMW unscripted: Sabine Schmitz

BMW unscripted: Sabine Schmitz

Everyone’s favourite taxi driver, Sabine Schmitz, is featured here in unscripted, a new promo series from BMW. “No script, just real people,” says the marketing blurb.

This episode with Sabine gives a great, albeit brief, look at her history with BMW and the Nürburgring Nordschleife. For more on Sabine take a trip down memory lane and check the AUSringers interview from 2008.

Sabine’s unscripted clip can be seen after the jump.

Continue reading “BMW unscripted: Sabine Schmitz”
Categories
Bugatti

One Veyron for the price of two

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport

If you think our Luxury Car Tax is bad then spare a thought for those unfortunate Bugatti Veyron buyers in India. You see, the Indian government laughs in the face of our measly 33% rate and says if you can afford to buy one Veyron you can afford to buy two. Only trouble is, you still only get one Veyron for double the money.

That’s right, the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, which is about to go on sale in India, gets slugged with a 110% import tax. The final cost is a cool 160 million rupees. If that doesn’t mean much to you, it works out to be around US$3.6 million. Ouch! Other markets charge taxes, too, but none are quite as high as in India; for comparison a Grand Sport would cost you US$2.2 million in America or €1.6 million in Europe (around AU$2.25m).

Of course, after buying a Veryron, the real problem for Indian consumers is finding some space in their Dharavi mansions to park their new wheels.

[Source: Autoblog]

Categories
Audi Porsche Volkswagen

Volkswagen Group’s MiMo sportscar platform is go!

Audi R5 rendering

Word has emerged that the Volkswagen Group’s mittelmotor (MiMo) sports car platform has been approved. That means an Audi R5, like the rendering above, could be a reality by 2014.

Volkswagen would make use of the MiMo architecture by turning their Concept BlueSport into a production reality. Porsche, though, is likely to get first dibs on the platform as they will likely play a lead development role. Something which can only benefit Audi and VW.

The mid-engine R5 will sit in between the TT and the R8 in Audi’s model lineup. While a number of engine configurations will be available, including a few electric gizmos, it’s expected the hero R5 will be powered by the 2.5 litre five pot found in the TT RS.

The MiMo Porsche, complete with the internal codename 356, would be positioned below the Boxster, making it the most affordable way into Porsche ownership.

This mittelmotor thing, then, is set to bring the motoring world some very tasty metal. With Porsche’s involvement, it is sure to be a fantastic drive, as well. One very big AUSmotive tick of approval has just been granted!

[Source: Car]

Categories
BMW

BMW M5 prototype sounds a bit better now

BMW M5 prototype

Back in September we brought you video of the latest BMW M5 test mule undergoing testing at the Nürburgring. Aside from the fact it’s always good to see a new M5 on the way the sound from the car in last month’s video was, well, quite disappointing, really. Never mind, though, as this new clip from Car magazine shows that BMW has started to put things right. The twin turbo 4.4 litre V8 is sounding much nicer now!

Reportedly, the M5’s V8 will be good for 578hp, a slight 22hp increase on the 555hp found in the X5 M’s 4.4 litre heart of gold.

It’s understood we’ll see an M5 concept at Geneva next March, with the production ready model on show at Frankfurt in September 2011.

[Source: Car via BimmerFile]

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Categories
Holden Motorsports

Fabian Coulthard’s Bathurst crash from the inside

Fabian Coulthard's Bathurst crash

We’ve already shown you the spectacular footage of Fabian Coulthard’s first lap crash from the 2010 Bathurst race. We’ve even shown you amateur footage captured from the side of the track. Now, Walkinshaw Racing brings us the view from inside the car. It’s an amazing piece of action. Check it out after the break.

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Categories
Top Gear

Happy as a Stig in mud

Stig farm

Following the Ben Collins fallout Top Gear are keen to promote the “discovery” of a new Stig farm as reported by The Sun. Apparently der neue Stig is due to be revealed next week when the latest Top Gear Live tour kicks off in London.

A BBC source has said, “Fans don’t know there is a secret farm where we breed lots of different Stigs. We’ve found just the one.”

It still hasn’t been confirmed if Stiggy in the middle will return to the Top Gear television show, but, it’s probably a good money bet to say he/she/it will. I guess we’ll know that when Season 16 starts early next year.

[Source: The Sun]

Categories
Formula 1 News

SENNA: The movie

Senna: The movie

A dedicated page for the upcoming movie SENNA has now been added to the Working Title Films website. Currently, it’s a basic setup but there is an intro from the writer of the film Manish Pandey. In part, he says, “At the age of 24, he exploded on to the Formula One scene, in the deluge of a street race in Monte Carlo, then spent the next decade as the sport’s brightest star, shattering records, living life on the very edge and fighting the off-track politics which kept him from what he most loved: ‘Pure racing.’”

Back in September we showed you the Japanese preview of the film. That preview was released because a version of the film was shown just before this year’s Japanese Grand Prix. If you have a subscription to autosport you can read Jon Noble’s excellent and inspiring review. Here’s a snippet:

“I confess, I’m in love once more. Formula 1 has pulled my heart strings like it hasn’t done for years. It’s like being a teenager all over again. For just under two hours in Japan earlier this week I was absolutely mesmerised by what I witnessed.

Sitting there transfixed, I experienced almost every emotion under the sun and was left mentally shattered by the end. From laughter and smiling at one moment, I went on a journey that pushed me through intense pride, excitement, fear and also sadness.”

SENNA will have its official world premiere in Brazil on 3 November. The film is expected to be screened elsewhere in the world by the middle of next year. AUSmotive has spoken with Universal Pictures to try and confirm a definite release date for the Australian market. The advice given was to check back in March/April of 2011. As soon as we have a firm date for local release we will let you know.

UPDATE 31 October: Another review for SENNA can be read over at F1 Fanatic. Make sure you read the comments from Manish Pandey.

Categories
Aston Martin

SOLD: James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5

James Bond's Aston Martin DB5

Regular readers will remember, back in June, we brought you news that this fantastic piece of motoring and movie making memorabilia was going up for auction. The auction took place in London on Wednesday and the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 sold for a staggering £2,912,000 (A$4.74 million).

The car was driven by Sean Connery and used in the films Goldfinger and Thunderball. Dubbed “the most famous car in the world” the DB5 was auctioned by RM Auctions and Rob Myers, Chairman and Founder, said, “RM has just established the price of fame. We had a fabulous time during the promotion of the sale of 007’s DB5 and we’re really pleased to have been able to assist with finding it a great new home.”

When you consider the previous owner, Jerry Lee, bought the car directly from Aston in 1969 for US$12,000 the profit made is quite considerable. The good news is, funds from the sale will be going to the Jerry Lee Foundation charity, which targets social problems associated with poverty.

The new owner, American businessman Harry Yeaggy, is over joyed at his new acquisition, “This is a car that I’ve always wanted, after all it is the most famous car in the world. My plan is to display it in my private car museum in Ohio just as it is.”

More after the break, including a promo video produced by RM Auctions.

Continue reading “SOLD: James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5”
Categories
Ferrari

Another Ferrari 458 Italia photoshoot

Ferrari 458 Italia

While over at Winding Road reading about Jack Brabham we also came across this great image gallery of the Ferrari 458 Italia. The pics were taken by Chris Amos and they’re bloody good too. Amos has captured just about every visual detail you could hope for. Follow the source link below for more.

This is the second 458 photoshoot we have linked to this month. If you missed the first one, check it out here.

[Source: Winding Road]

Categories
Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster spied

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

A couple of pics of a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster prototype have been doing the rounds today. Of course, the Roadster will lose the gullwing-style doors of the tin top, but it will feature the same stonking 6.3 litre V8 engine. Using a weight and space saving fabric roof the SLS AMG Roadster is expected to debut around the middle of next year.

[Source: Autocar]