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BMW Motorsports

BMW M3 GT2 wins 2010 Nürburgring 24 hour

BMW M3 GT2

This year’s Nürburgring 24 hour race was won by the #25 BMW M3 GT2 driven by Jörg Müller, Augusto Farfus, Uwe Alzen and Pedro Lamy. It was Lamy’s fifth victory at the Ring and he joins Marcel Tiemann as the most successful driver at the race. For BMW it was their nineteenth win at the Nürburgring 24 hour race.

In second place was the one and only Ferrari in the race, the #43 F430 GTC with Dominik Farnbacher, Allan Simonsen, Lehman Keen and Marco Seefried at the wheel. Simonsen has a strong Australian connection, appearing in numerous racing categories and as a driving instructor. Crossing the line in third was the #97 Audi R8 LMS driven by Dennis Rostek, Luca Ludwig, Marc Bronzel and Markus Winkelhock.

The 2010 race proved the old motorsport adage—to finish first, first you have to finish. Porsche and Audi enjoyed long stints at the top of the leaderboard. However, mechanical issues and accidents forced early retirements from the more fancied teams. Despite gearbox issues in the last few hours, the BMW M3 GT2 was able to keep out of trouble and cross the line first for a well deserved win.

Both the first and second placed cars completed 154 laps, one lap off equalling the race record which was set by the winning Manthey Porsche in 2009.

Final placings for Australian and New Zealand teams are available at AUSringers.com. BMW’s press release can be read after the jump.

If you have never followed the Nürburgring 24 hour race before AUSmotive recommends that you do so in 2011. Around 200 cars take part and the crowd can push towards 250,000. Manufacturer support for the event is increasing. In particular, the likes of Audi, BMW, Porsche and Volkswagen, throw a lot of technical expertise and effort at winning the race, or seeking class wins. Aston Martin and Lexus have also increased their participation in recent years.

UPDATE: Photo gallery of the winning car has now been added below.

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Ferrari Formula 1 Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2010 Monaco Grand Prix in pictures

2010 Monaco Grand Prix

No doubt Mark Webber is still beaming after his Monaco Grand Prix victory. A win in Monte Carlo is something all Formula One drivers cherish and to see an Australian dominate the race made for one very welcome procession.

Webber clearly places this win very highly, “It’s a special day, the greatest day of my life I suppose. As a Formula One driver you really hope that you win races and if you have a choice then the blue riband event is very, very special for any driver. To join Ayrton Senna and the likes round here is a very special thing.”

More quotes from Webber, as well as podium drivers Sebastien Vettel and Robert Kubica, can be read at Formula1.com.

The Aussie currently sits atop the World Championship leaderboard, thanks to two successive wins, but he’s not getting ahead of himself just yet, “To get 50 points from the last two races is awesome, but there is a long, long way still to go. We’ve got so many different conditions and tracks coming up – there are many exciting times to come; I’m looking forward to it.”

The one-two result now puts Red Bull Racing in the lead of the constructors’ title race, as well.Red Bull now has 156 points, 20 ahead of Ferrari and 27 clear of McLaren.

A gallery of Red Bull Racing photos can be seen after the jump. More pics from the other teams to follow.

UPDATE 18 May: Images from Renault, Ferrari, Mercedes GP, Force India, Lotus, Williams, Virgin Racing and Sauber now available below.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber wins Monaco GP

Mark Webber wins 2010 Monaco GP

Mark Webber has driven a masterful race at Monaco to win his second Formula One Grand Prix in as many weekends. After clutching pole position at the death during qualifying he was able to keep his Red Bull machine out of trouble from the start and take the chequered flag unchallenged. This is the first Australian win at Monaco since Sir Jack Brabham’s 1959 breakthrough victory

Several Safety Car periods ensured Mark had to keep his wits about him, but after each green flag he was able to simply drive away with apparent ease. In fact the race almost finished behind the safety car after an incident between Jarno Trulli and Karun Chandok. The tangled mess happened right in front of Webber. The Australian kept his cool and was able to avoid the incident and maintain his lead.

As it was the Safety Car pulled in at the last corner to allow Webber to cross the line at full noise to claim his fourth career victory. Amazingly, Webber now leads the World Championship. Sebastien Vettel finished the race second and joins Webber on 78 points. However, Webber is classified as Championship leader on account of winning two races to Vettel’s one. Pleasingly for Red Bull they are turning their qualifying dominance into race wins.

Robert Kubica finished third in a great result for Renault. Of course, the Red Bull RB6 is powered by Renault engines, thus giving the French company a clean sweep of the podium.

Speaking after the race Webber with a beaming smile declared it was “the greatest day of my life today.” The significance of a Monaco Grand Prix victory on his CV was not lost on Mark who said, “it was a very, very rewarding win, and (I’m) just absolutely elated. To join Aytron Senna and those guys around here, it’s real blue riband event.”

In further good news for Australian motorsport young gun, and Red Bull test driver, Daniel Ricciardo won the Formula Renault 3.5 race at Monaco earlier today.

[Pics: via OneHD]

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing Renault

Mark Webber claims pole for Monaco Grand Prix

Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber drove a scintillating closing lap in his Red Bull RB6 to claim pole position at the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix. Webber’s time of 1:13.826 was 0.294 seconds ahead of Renault’s Robert Kubica. Sebastien Vettel qualified in third, 0.401 seconds behind his Australian teammate.

Webber thanked his Red Bull Racing team and said, “the car was again was a pleasure … pole at Monaco is a nice feeling.” This result follows Mark’s pole position from last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix and he said he is ready to “give it a good crack” in tomorrow’s race.

Can history repeat itself? First, can Mark repeat his Spanish GP success and convert pole into another race win? Second, back in 1959 Australian motor racing legend Sir Jack Brabham qualified on pole at Monaco before going on to win the race. Here’s hoping they are two very good signs for Mark Webber tomorrow.

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Porsche

Porsche GT2 RS coming to Australia

Porsche GT2 RS

The most powerful street-legal Porsche ever—the 911 GT2 RS—is coming to our shores, albeit in small numbers. A Porsche Germany spokesman has confirmed with AUSmotive that they “expect to sell about 5 to 10 GT2 RS in Australia”.

Porsche have scheduled a September–October release for the GT2 RS. They tend to launch their cars simultaneously in all markets. So, factor in around 6 weeks for shipping times and we should be seeing the most potent “widowmaker” down under just in time for Christmas.

If you’ve been a bad boy this year and Santa doesn’t give you a 620bhp 911 then you’ll probably need to find around $500K to buy one for yourself. And you would, if you could. Wouldn’t you?!

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Green Machines MINI

EXCLUSIVE: MINI E Race – the complete Nürburgring lap

MINI E Race @ Nurburgring Nordschleife

Back in April it was announced a specially prepared MINI E Race had lapped the Nürburgring in under 10 minutes. In this age of Porsche v Nissan lap wars sub-10 minute laps times are nothing too special. But, when you consider that the MINI E used to post this lap did so under full electric power, with zero emissions, then the achievement begins to take on a new perspective. That’s because it was a world first.

At the time a brief video was released to YouTube. It was great to see the MINI in action and all, but it was a highlights reel than ran for around 90 seconds and there is an audio track over the top of the raw footage. You want to see the full lap, right?

Through graft and persistence AUSmotive can now show you the entire 9 minute 51 second lap. The footage is unedited and there is no extra audio.

A few things stand out. Firstly, just how foggy the conditions were when this time was recorded. Visibility in some sections was severely compromised. It was a closed track, of course, but that didn’t make things that much easier for the driver Thomas Jäger.

You will also notice the lack of engine noise, of course. It’s not totally quiet and there are some whining sounds emanating from the drivetrain. Under braking, too, you can hear the MINI E whirring away. Apart from that, though, the only other noise you hear is the growl of the semi slick tyres from time to time.

While watching the lap you can see the timer mounted at the base of the speedometer so as to keep an eye on progress. Incidentally, when the speedo needle is pointing upright the car is doing 130km/h. Top speed on the Döttinger Hohe straight was 187km/h.

Take the jump now to watch the world’s first zero emission lap of the full Nürburgring Nordschleife. For more on the MINI E Race click HERE.

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

Wörthersee: Volkswagen Golf GTI Excessive

Golf GTI Excessive

In addition to the adidas limited edition, Volkswagen has also presented this Golf GTI “Excessive” to the fans at the Wörthersee show in Austria. It looks like Volkswagen has dusted off last year’s Wörthersee 09 Concept and bolted on a few shiny plastic bits.

There’s an increased track, set off nicely by BBS alloy wheels and a big brake kit. The aggressive front splitter and rear diffuser look the part, but those wheel arches and side skirts are pushing a few unwelcome boundaries.

Volkswagen are leaving the door open to these parts being made available over the counter of your local dealership. They say if the fans show enough support at Wörthersee then they could put the kit into production.

More after the break.

UPDATE: Volkswagen UK press release added below. This tells us the Excessive has modest increases in power and torque, among other things.

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

Wörthersee: Volkswagen Golf GTI adidas

Volkswagen Golf GTI adidas

The Wörthersee show is underway and as previously reported Volkswagen have revealed a special edition Golf GTI adidas model.

Essentially VW have taken a regular Mk6 GTI and given it some unique 18″ Serron alloy wheels, a tiny adidas badge on the door-frame and some adidas trim on the seats. The seats might sound a bit garish, but they’re not too bad. The GTI adidas also boasts bi-xenon headlights and LED rear tails as standard equipment.

Available as a three door model only the adidas will go on sale in Europe in June. It is understood there will be 4410 adidas models. According to The Motor Report a few may even make it to Australia. Nothing official on that front from Volkswagen Australia just yet, though. You’ll read about here if it does get confirmed.

More from Volkswagen after the break.

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Motorsports

2010 Nürburgring 24 hour race

Nurburgring 24 hour race

One of the world’s greatest endurance races is on this weekend—the Nürburgring 24 hour. You can follow the race with live radio, live streaming pictures and twitter updates from drivers and manufacturers—see AUSringers.com for details. There’s even a couple of iPhone Apps available. Also make sure you keep an eye on AUSringers for updates of how the Australian and New Zealand competitors fare during the race.

The race starts at 11pm tomorrow (Australian Eastern time) and, of course, finishes at 11pm Sunday. Just in time to catch the end of the Monaco Grand Prix.

Categories
Volkswagen

Seven news

Volkswagen Golg VII

This animated GIF gives you a look at the latest Volkswagen Golf VII rendering. Produced by Auto Express there is a likely to be a reasonable amount of guesswork taken, but it’s probably in the ballpark of what the next Golf will look like.

Styling cues, for the exterior lighting in particular, are heavily influenced by the New Compact Coupé shown at Detroit early this year. Indeed the entire front end of this rendering is greatly inspired by that concept model.

While the reign of the current Golf VI is likely to be one of the shortest in Golf history, we’re still probably around two years away from seeing the Mk7, and its all new platform, in European dealerships. Introduction of the Golf VII could even stretch into 2013, we’ll have to wait and see.

Once the new Golf is released we’ll be able to listen to Volkswagen thump their chests about their newest range of efficient small capacity turbocharged engines and plenty of other new technologies, too. The Golf is clearly Volkswagen’s most important mode line. They won’t get it wrong.

[Source: Auto Express]

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Audi

Audi A1 learns about supply and demand

Audi A1

The next big thing, aka the Audi A1, is getting an early lesson in supply and demand. Production began in earnest this week and around 500 A1s are being built every day. That’s quite a lot for a new entry level premium product. Audi plans to build 50,000 cars before the end of 2010. That’s a lot too.

But it’s not enough. At least that’s the case according to Peter Schwarzenbauer, Audi’s head of sales and marketing. Speaking to Automotive News Europe, Herr Schwarzenbauer said, “In view of the high demand, orders could surpass the production capacity this year.”

That means hopeful A1 buyers may need to take a ticket and stand at the back of the queue. What will be pleasing to Audi’s top brass is around 90% of those interested in the A1 are first-time Audi buyers.

A1 production is set to increase to 80,000 in 2011 and to 100,000 in 2012. Will this alleviate supply concerns, or will the sales growth of the A1 continue to surpass expectations?

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
Porsche

Holy $#!%@!!

Porsche 911 GT2 RS

Porsche have done nothing to shy away from the “widowmaker” tag given to their GT2 nameplate. Bearing the extra special annotation of RS, this latest iteration sure to keep even the most talented drivers on their toes. Check out the promo clip after the break.

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