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Citroen Ford Hyundai Volkswagen WRC

2014 Rally Finland in pictures

2014 WRC Rally Finland

It seems to be the year of winning your home event. Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg won their home grands prix in Formula 1. Now it’s Jari-Matti Latvala’s turn and he got to spray the champagne first after he won Rally Finland.

Sebastien Ogier will be hoping he can do the same when Rally France rolls around in October. He might just need to as well. Ogier is still very much the man to catch, with a 44 point lead over Latvala, but there’s still five rallies up for grabs.

After the break there’s over 70 images from the Finnish forests and, of course, plenty of spectacular “yumps”!

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Everybody loves Daniel

2014 Hungarian Grand Prix

Here’s a Formula 1 story we can all enjoy, the ever increasing love being shown for Daniel Ricciardo! Here’s a selection of quotes said about our Dan in the wake of his Hungarian Grand Prix win.

Luke Smith, NBC: When speaking to Daniel in the paddock, it’s quite clear that he is two things. Firstly: highly determined and gunning to win (as is any racing driver). Secondly: a genuinely friendly person. It’s very rare to leave a press briefing with Daniel without a smile nearly as big as his own.

This is all very good news for Formula 1. Bernie Ecclestone has said in the past that the sport needs a superstar, and Daniel could be exactly that, but not in the conventional sense. He is someone who the fans can connect to.

Kevin Eason, The Times: No one—not even Horner and his Red Bull team—believed the Australian would be so good. Actually, he has not been good, he has been spectacular. This is a champ in the making.

Sky Sports F1: In a season of such dominance by one team which isn’t your own, Ricciardo’s pair of victories in Canada and especially Hungary are all the more commendable and the qualities shown on both of those occasions as he charged to unexpected wins—consistent pace, impressive tyre management and, most notably of all, bold and incisive overtaking moves when it mattered—have made the paddock sit up and take notice and mark the ever-smiley 25-year-old out as surely a future World Champion in the making. The surprise star of the season without question.

Jim Peltz, LA Times: Two months ago the idea would have been laughable: Red Bull Racing’s rookie Daniel Ricciardo winning the Formula One championship. Now, the notion still remains highly unlikely but not nearly so ludicrous. Overtaking both Mercedes drivers would be a very tall order. But there are eight races left in the season. And there’s a season-ending quirk this year. Formula One will award double points to drivers in the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

And if Ricciardo closes the gap significantly by then, Abu Dhabi could prove highly entertaining.

Edd Straw, Autosport+: Half a season in a top car and a couple of victories does not automatically mean a driver has earned his place among the elite, but Ricciardo has been so convincing that it’s difficult to imagine he won’t consolidate his status over the seasons to come. At 25, he looks like he will be a real force to be reckoned with for the next decade.

Let’s hope we do see Daniel continue on his upwards trajectory and one day claiming a world championship. It’s great for Aussie F1 fans to see him take the mantle as Australia’s unofficial ambassador from Mark Webber with such good humour and, of course, blinding pace.

[Source: Fox Sports | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Accessories & Tech BMW Video

BMW M4: M Performance exhaust preview

BMW M4 with M Performance Exhaust

As good as BMW is at extracting performance from the engines it makes it is better at extracting money from its customers. So when you make yourself a new hero car, aka the F82 M4, it doesn’t make economic sense to put the best exhaust you have in your parts bin on the car at the factory.

No, it’s much better to ship the car with a crumby exhaust and then offer up a better one through your dealership network where customers have the privilege of paying you another several thousand dollars for the equipment that should have been on the car right from the start.

All that brings us to this amateur video footage of an M4 being driven by Chris Forsberg during a television commercial in the States. It was reportedly part of a new marketing campaign called M Initiation, which we will no doubt hear more about in good time.

Right now, though, you can hear the M4 with what is alleged to be BMW’s own aftermarket M Performance Exhaust system. Full technical details are yet to be confirmed and there’s talk the exhaust on this car may not match the final production parts. Speculation suggests the system will be made from titanium and be a full turbo-back with catalytic converters in the downpipes. Pricing is expected to be around the US$5000 region.

Whatever, it does sound pretty good.

[Source: Bimmerpost]

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Formula 1 News

Money talks, Bernie walks

Bernie Eccelstone leaves court after paying $100m settlement

As expected news has come through overnight confirming the end to the Bernie Eccelstone bribery case, thanks to an agreed settlement which will cost the F1 supremo US$100 million.

“The court did not consider a conviction overwhelmingly likely from the present point of view,” said Andrea Titz, spokesperson for the Munich court. “There was no conclusion on guilt or innocence of the defendant. He is leaving this courtroom a free man.”

The 83-year-old is free to continue in his daily role of running Formula 1, although it is unclear if he will return to the sport’s board of a directors, a position he stood down from after it was announced he would stand trial.

“It is a settlement without any conviction, the presumption of innocence is still valid,” said Eccelstone’s lawyer Sven Thomas. “That was a condition under which I negotiated.”

German law stipulates that legal proceedings can be stopped and charges withdrawn if terms can be agreed, usually by way of a fine or an agreement to do community work. Such settlements can only take place if the “gravity of guilt” would not prevent the outcome.

It is believed Eccelstone’s $100m payment is the largest of its kind in Germany. The money will go to the German treasury with $1m being set aside for a charity dealing with terminally ill children.

[Source: The Independent]

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Formula 1 News

$100m is the going rate to avoid a bribery conviction

Bernie Ecclestone

Last week news emerged that Bernie Ecclestone was likely to buy his way out of the bribery charges laid against him in a German court. Today, The Independent reports Eccelstone will pay US$100m to settle the case. That money will go to the German state of Bavaria and, astonishingly, Bernie says they should build a new Formula 1 track with the money.

“It seems that we will be successful in the settlement,” Ecclestone’s lawyer Sven Thomas revealed. “The amount is not confidential. They are talking about $100m.

“The $100m is for the state of Bavaria. Maybe they will try and build a circuit. I will propose this—that they should build a nice circuit.”

So, in a way Bernie is hoping to turn this court case into an investment opportunity for him. Talk about no shame!

Crucially, the terms of the settlement under German law will see that all charges against Ecclestone are withdrawn.

“It is a settlement without any conviction, the presumption of innocence is still valid. That was a condition under which I negotiated,” Thomas added.

At worst Ecclestone was facing up to 10-years in jail if he was found guilty. Last November Donald Mackenzie, co-founder of CVC the owners of Formula 1, said he was prepared to end Bernie’s reign as F1 supremo.

“If it is proven that Mr Ecclestone has done anything that is criminally wrong, we would fire him,” Mackenzie said.

The allegations of bribery began to stumble in court when chief witness Gerhard Gribkowsky, already serving jail time for his part in the saga, said he did not question why he was paid £27 million by Ecclestone while negotiating for the sale of Formula 1 to CVC.

“I never asked myself that question,” Gribkowsky told the court. “I’m still annoyed with myself for that today.”

Ecclestone further added it was the prosecution who initiated settlement talks.

“The prosecutors said, ‘Do we want to have a chat about it?’ That is what started it,” Ecclestone claimed. “We didn’t ask them, they asked us.”

Sometimes being a fan of Formula 1 really stinks.

[Source: The Independent | Pic: AFP]

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Volkswagen WRC

Jari-Matti Latvala wins 2014 Rally Finland

2014 WRC Rally Finland

Jari-Matti Latvala has kept his faint WRC title hopes alive by scoring a hugely popular victory in Rally Finland. His 3.6 second winning margin over defending champ Sebastien Ogier doesn’t tell the full story. Ogier himself had to fight for P2 after Kris Meeke was very fast early and delivered on his undoubted potential to claim a rare podium for Citroën.

Local hero Latvala dominated the early and middle stages of the rally until a brake issue caused him to slow late on day two. Ogier, having just claimed P2 from Meeke, was able to close up on Latvala to bring the deficit to less than four seconds going into the final day.

Latvala was able to hold his nerve on the final day and even though he was second in the final power stage, only 0.1s behind Ogier, he showcased his driving style during the live televised stage with a masterful display. He was blindingly fast and in complete control at all times.

“This win in Finland is a very special moment for Miikka and me,” Latvala said afterwards. “We last managed to do this in 2010, and this win feels twice as good considering our disappointing result last year.

“I had a good feeling in the Polo R WRC right from the start of the rally, and the car was set up perfectly once again. So a big thank-you to my team for their excellent work. And I would, of course, also like to thank all the fans who supported Miikka and me throughout the rally here in Finland.

“This win was a tough cookie, though. We were in a bit of a predicament on Saturday evening when we were no longer able to use one of our brakes. Nevertheless, we didn’t give up and we kept on fighting. I’m really very happy about this result.”

He’s a likeable guy Latvala, who always speaks passionately and enthusiastically. This would have been a popular win regardless of the fact it was his home race. Add the overjoyed local crowd into the mix and the parties went long into the night.

The win is the eleventh of Latvala’s WRC career and he closes the gap slightly to Ogier, who is 44 points ahead with five rallies left to run. Volkswagen now has a remarkable 175 point lead in the manufacturers’ standings, ahead of Citroën.

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Porsche Video

Go out and play!

Porsche Cayman GTS

Clearly no longer members of the Flat Earth Society (yes, they do still exist), Porsche informs us the world is a curve and that we should go out and play.

They chose to do this by taking a Cayman GTS somewhere in Northern Italy, to a very cool go kart track, and having some fun.

That would have been a good working day for those involved in making this clip!

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Porsche

Lottery barn: The story of Porsche 917-024

Porsche 917-024

Remember that seriously cool Porsche 917 we told you about last month. That’s right, it’s up for auction in a bit over a week. Turns out it has a very cool back story.

Actually, it also turns out the car may no longer be for sale. It’s not currently listed on the website of selling agent Gooding & Company; we’ve fired off an email to see what we can find out.

Anyway, returning to the background of 917-024. It was entered by Porsche in the 1969 Spa 1000km race. It tested at Le Mans, although never raced in anger. After Porsche was finished with it former factory driver Jo Siffert bought the car and then loaned it out for use in the legendary Steve McQueen film Le Mans. Siffert was also used during the making of the film for many of the driving scenes.

In 1970, after filming of Le Mans had finished, the car had reached the end of its useful life. Regulation changes meant the 917 was no longer able to be raced and back then there were no Goodwood Revival or Festival of Speed type meets of any merit to extend the car’s life.

Siffert was killed in a minor race meeting at Brands Hatch in 1971. His 917 remained with his estate until 1978 when it was bought by a French car collector. Unbelievably, by today’s standards, chassis 917-024 then sat in a barn, and idle, for 23 years.

In 2002 the car was discovered by Uwe Meissner, from German-based restorers Modena Motorsport. The 917’s owner had recently passed away and Meissner brokered a deal with the estate to sell it on and found a backer willing to buy and fund the required restoration project.

After the break you can see a short video on the car’s restoration. It was a no expense spared operation! We’ll let you know if we hear back from Gooding & Company, too.

[Source: Car Build Index | Thanks to Tiaan for the tip]

UPDATE 6 August: Here’s the from Gooding & Company: “The car has been withdrawn from the sale. Gooding & Company does not comment on property withdrawn from our auctions.”

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Formula 1 News

Australian Grand Prix secured until 2020

2014 Australian Grand Prix

Victorian Premier, Dr Denis Napthine, has been making waves today to tell the world he’s signed a contract extension which will keep the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne until 2020.

“Formula 1 is a key pillar of Victoria’s major sporting events strategy,” Dr Napthine said. “This calendar is unrivalled worldwide, commencing with the Australian Tennis Open and Asian Football Cup in January, followed by the ICC Cricket World Cup in February, the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in March, the AFL Final Series, and the Spring Racing Carnival.”

It’s good news for Australian F1 fans who are often used to hearing Victorian politicians threaten to drop the race. Usually such comments are all dependent on the electoral cycle, of course.

Often, pollies will talk tough when in opposition and then when they get into power and have a chance to smile at their adoring fans from the victory dais they tend to change their tune. Speaking of which, Dr Napthine hopes to have a photo of he and world champion hope Daniel Ricciardo on his mantlepiece real soon.

“Within this contract we hope to see Australia’s own Daniel Ricciardo win the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and become World Champion,” Natpthine added.

There’s no talk of any financial agreements between Victoria and F1, just that Ron Walker, AGPC Chairman, has secured “the best deal for Victoria.”

We can’t forget Bernie, either, he sounds over the moon at this new deal. Really, he does. If nothing else it makes a nice change from all that bribery chat.

“I congratulate Melbourne for the excellent way in which it presents Formula 1 to the world,” Mr Ecclestone said.

The 2015 Australian Grand Prix will be held on Sunday 15 March.

[Source: Australian Grand Prix]

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Datsun Ford Motorsports Video

VIDEO: 1979 Castrol International Rally

Colin Bond, 1979 Castrol International Rally, Canberra

Frustrated that you can’t watch Rally Finland without a Foxtel account and want to get your WRC fix? Here’s some footage from 35 years ago that will remind you what rallying is all about. It’s from the 1979 Castrol International Rally, held in the forests around Canberra.

This is the home territory of your AUSmotive editor and while I usually stick to the tarmac when heading for the forests this is an area I know well.

Clearly, this was a simpler time when all you needed was a Ford Escort or a Datto 1600 (a Stanza if you were really fancy pants) and the balls to have a crack. T-shirts were the only attire needed behind the wheel and long sleeves only ever came out if it was raining. Even the pacenotes are low key.

Familiar names such as Greg Carr, George Fury, Kevin Bartlett and Colin Bond all feature and long-time motorsport fans from Australia will notice a relatively slim Will Hagon behind the mic on the victory dais.

A quick shoutout, too, for the Southern District Motorsport Association who played a key role in hosting the event and is still active today.

The clip runs for 50 minutes and if you set aside the time you should enjoy this.

[Thanks to Tim for the tip]

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Driving holidays Porsche Video

VIDEO: Island’s in the dream

Does the island of Majorca have the world's best driving roads?

Evo magazine brings us another dream nomination for the world’s best driving road. It now seems we can forget everything we know on this subject and start setting our sights and sunglasses towards the Spanish island of Majorca.

Following up from the earlier nomination in Romania, Henry Catchpole grabs the keys to a Porsche Boxster GTS and starts chasing the rays and the twisting tarmac given to the world by Antonio Parietti Coll.

If nothing else, Majorca is a great place to flee one’s creditors. As it turns out, it’s also a pretty nice place to snap, crackle and pop in a Boxster GTS.

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Porsche

991 Porsche 911 GT3 RS patent drawings

2015 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

We’ve been given one of the best looks yet at the 2015 Porsche 911 GT3 RS thanks to a series of patent drawings published by Car magazine.

It appears as though almost every body panel will be unique to the GT3 RS. Starting with the dip in the bonnet and the vented front guards—remember we first got wind of those on a scale model, of all things.

The roof also has a double bulge, presumably to offer increased headroom inside the car. The obligatory massive rear wing is also in place along with a wide body akin to the 911 Turbo, which caters for the widened track on the most competition-focused production model in the 911 range.

Despite the Turbo-style air intakes on the rear flanks and rear decklid it’s now expected the RS will feature a high-rev normally aspirated engine, likely to remain at the same 3.8 litre capacity found in the revised 911 GT3. Power should slot in between the 350kW (475hp) from the GT3 and the 412kW (552hp) found in the Turbo S, currently the most powerful 991 911 money can buy.

This is likely to be the most extreme GT3 RS yet with Andreas Preuninger, Porsche GT road cars boss, indicating the gap between the GT3 and the RS will be as big as its ever been when the 991 RS is finally revealed.

[Source: Car | Thanks to John for the tip]

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