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Renault

Renault Megane RS275 Trophy-R revealed

Renault Megane RS275 Trophy R

Renault has revealed details for its Nürburgring conquering Megane RS275 Trophy-R. This is the #UNDER8 car the French hot hatch masters have been preparing ever since Seat stole its front-wheel drive Nürburgring record.

Like the R26.R before it this Trophy-R sheds weight in the chase for performance. At 1297kg it is 79kg lighter than the regular RS275 Trophy. Weight loss has been achieved by chucking out the back seats altogether and replacing the fronts with lightweight Recaro racing numbers. A lithium-ion battery sheds 16kg, while model specific Brembo brakes save a further 3kg.

Other standard features for the Trophy-R include the noted Cup chassis, a limited-slip differential), an Akrapovic exhaust, Öhlins Road&Track adjustable dampers with composite springs and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.

Power comes from the 2.0 litre turbo found in the Trophy and as the model name suggests provides 275hp (202kW).

Put all that together with a French bloke named Laurent Hurgon (Renault Sport test driver) and you can lap the Ring in 7 minutes 54.36 seconds. That’s four seconds quicker than that pesky Seat and an impressive 14 seconds faster than the RS265.

Only 250 Trophy-Rs will be made, with reports suggesting 50 will come to Australia at a price of around $65,000 each. That’s a fair allocation and testament to this country’s proven love of Renault Sport product.

More pics, detailed press material and, of course, video of the Trophy-R in action can be found below.

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Ferrari Formula 1

Ferrari denies F1 exit rumours

Luca de Montezemolo

For some time now there’s been talk Ferrari could join the resurgent LMP1 category in the World Endurance Championship. For one thing this would ensure Porsche has a harder time claiming outright victory at Le Mans. But also Ferrari is often at loggerheads with Formula 1 authorities as both parties throw their weight around to get what they want.

Then we had Fernando Alonso on hand at Le Mans over the weekend to give the endurance classic its official start and, hey presto, Ferrari is about to quit F1. Or so a few rumours suggested.

Not so fast kiddies! This is Ferrari’s official statement of rebuttal:

Some elements of the media have suggested Ferrari would quit Formula 1 to concentrate on the Le Mans 24 Hours and Endurance racing. This is a bit of a stretch based on President Luca di Montezemolo reiterating that Formula 1 needs to evolve and renew itself, while also admitting that there is a unique attraction to the 24 Hour race.

To say that after 2020, Ferrari could quit Formula 1 to concentrate on Le Mans and the Endurance championship takes his words to extremes. Plus of course, there’s nothing to stop Ferrari upping the ante and competing in both disciplines. So it’s just pure speculation.

Categories
Formula 1 News

“He is not in a coma anymore”

2012 European Grand Prix

A long time has passed since we last had any news on the health of Michael Schumacher. But we’re pleased to report his family brings us an update via a statement published by manager Sabine Kehm. As much as it can be, this is bloody good news:

“Michael has left the CHU Grenoble to continue his long phase of rehabilitation. He is not in a coma anymore.

“His family would like to explicitly thank all his treating doctors, nurses and therapists in Grenoble as well as the first aiders at the place of the accident, who did an excellent job in those first months.

“The family also wishes to thank all the people who have sent Michael all the many good wishes to Michael. We are sure it helped him.

“For the future we ask for understanding that his further rehabilitation will take place away from the public eye.”

All the best Michael, all the best.

[Source: Autosport]

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Audi WEC

Audi wins 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans

Audi R18 e-tron quattro wins 2014 Le Mans

The #2 R18 e-tron quattro (Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer, Benoît Tréluyer) has won an amazing thirteenth victory for Audi at the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Providing a formation one-two finish the #1 R18 (Lucas di Grassi, Tom Kristensen, Marc Gené) came home in P2. While the #8 Toyota TS040 (Anthony Davidson, Nicolas Lapierre, Sébastien Buemi) finished third.

This was a true test of endurance and all three podium winners spent extended time in the pits with problems.

Porsche has much to be proud of but will be disappointed that neither of its cars were classified finishers.

We’ll have more, including a pictorial update in coming days.

Categories
Porsche WEC

2014 LM24: Go to sleep Australia!

Mark Webber

The dream is over.

Mark Webber has retired from the 24 Hours of Le Mans with an unidentified drivetrain problem. He slowed on track while in second place and was able to limp back into the pits. The car was wheeled into the pits and the crew worked on the car for over 15 minutes before pulling the pin.

Mark then hopped out of the car and consoled his teammates. Speaking to televsion presenters shortly after he was very upbeat, praising the work of Porsche engineers and race crews: “We never expected to be at such high altitudes through most of the race, so the fall is quite big for everyone in the team.”

It’s now looking like an Audi 1–2 for the win, but as we’ve seen so far this race, anything could happen in the remaining 75 minutes. It is remarkable though, that the three leading cars, including the #8 Toyota, have spent extended periods in the pits with problems of varying degrees.

Categories
Audi Porsche WEC

2014 LM24: Wake up Australia!

2014 24 Hours of Le Mans

With less than three hours to race Mark Webber’s #20 Porsche 919 Hybrid is leading the 24 Hours of Le Mans!

Mark’s car is not the fastest and has assumed the lead due to problems with its competitors. First, the #7 Toyota TS040 looked very comfortable and set for a well earned victory. The car dominated the race for 14 hours until an electrical fault with the wiring loom forced the car into retirement.

That gave the lead to the #2 Audi R18 which enjoyed a solid three lap gap to the cars behind. Drama soon befell that car when it came into the pits for a turbo replacement. The car lost over 20 minutes and resumed in P3, some two laps down on the #1 Audi.

Remarkably, then, the #1 Audi was leading the race. Remember, this was the car that was built from the ground up overnight during the week after the original chassis was crashed by Loic Duval during the first qualifying session on Wednesday. Marc Gene was drafted into the team to replace Duval who was ruled out, despite not suffering any serious injury.

Also, this meant Mark’s Porsche, with Timo Bernhard at the wheel, was now in second place. It couldn’t happen, could it?

More drama followed when the #1 Audi also had to pit for a new turbo. Suddenly, the #20 Porsche found istelf in the lead. It’s a lead the car still holds, albeit some 50 seconds ahead of the #2 Audi, which has showed outstanding speed since its turbo was replaced.

It’s not clear if it’s due to strategy or outright pace, but the Audi is clearly faster than the Porsche right now. For the leading 919, with Bernhard at the wheel, young Kiwi Brendon Hartley would usually be the next driver in the car. We expect there will be one more driver change before the end of the race. Will Mark Webber be given the responsibility to bring the car home?

One thing is clear, Porsche is so far exceeding all expectations, even if largely due to the misfortune of others. But, as the saying goes, to finish first, first you have to finish. And we could be set for an all-time classic finish, so get your arse in front of your laptop, or on the couch and cheer Mark home!

Continue reading “2014 LM24: Wake up Australia!”
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Toyota WEC

2014 LM24: #7 Toyota retires from lead

Lead Toyota TS040 retires from 2014 Le Mans

Terrible news for Toyota from the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the leading #7 TS040 forced out of the race due to a technical fault with the wiring loom.

Kazuki Nakajima was driving the #7 car and pulled to the side of the track without incident. Toyota has since confirmed the car’s official retirement and the lead of the race has been handed to the #2 Audi R18. The #20 Porsche 919 now sits in second place, three laps behind the leader.

A further 40 seconds behind the Porsche is the #1 Audi R18 in third place. Mark Webber’s car may yet have a fight for P2 with the chances of the chasing Audi remaining strong during the remaining nine hours of racing quite high.

The #8 TS040 is in P4, but 11 laps behind the leader. In P5 the #14 Porsche is the remaining LMP1 car circulating and well out of contention.

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Audi Porsche Toyota Video WEC

2014 Le Mans video updates

#7 Toyota TS040 Hybrid

The 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans is approaching half race distance and to date the race has been dominated by the #7 Toyota TS040 Hybrid. Alex Wurz is at the wheel right now and he holds a lead of over 2 minutes from the #2 Audi R18 e-tron quattro with André Lotterer at the wheel.

Intermittent and heavy rain patches affected the race early and ended the chances of the #8 Toyota and #3 Audi after a coming together on the Mulsanne Straight. The Toyota was able to limp back into the pits and get back running again and it’s now in P6 13 laps behind the leader. Alas for the Audi its race was over.

Porsche seemed to be running a split strategy with its two 919 Hybrids. The #14 car was running hot early in the race, mixing it with the leaders, until an electrical glitch limiting the car’s speed after 30 minutes forced the car into pitlane. Meanwhile, Timo Bernhard’s more circumspect approach in the #20 919 paid dividends when for a short while he lead the race. His lack of outright pace made him vulnerable, though, and Bernhard was soon swallowed up by the #7 Toyota and the #2 and #1 Audis.

Mark Webber has finally had his first competition experience at Le Mans after two failed attempts in the late 90s with Mercedes. He put in some solid laps, driving well into the night, but said after his stint they’re having to manage some problems. The car is running relatively smoothly in fourth place but is two laps behind.

There’s a selection of video highlights for you after the break, along with the following links to help you foolow the action.

Continue reading “2014 Le Mans video updates”
Categories
WEC

2014 24 Hours of Le Mans spotter guide

2014 Le Mans spotter guide

Watching Le Mans and want to know who’s who? Then go to the Spotter Guides website and download some of Andy Blackmore’s excellent handiwork.

Categories
MINI Toyota Video

VIDEO: Episode 6 of Project Binky

Project Binky

Nik and Richard from Bad Obsession Motorsport are back with the latest episode of Project Binky, which is surely the internet’s coolest build project.

As you can see from the still above the bodywork of the old Austin Mini has been pretty well taken care of. There’s not a lot of the old car left. But don’t let that for one minute devalue this project, which is a testament to the engineering skills on display.

It’s taken almost a full year to get Project Binky to this stage and there’s still so much work to do. The good news for us is that we’ll be seeing a lot more of Nik and RIchard doing their thing. The bad news for them is it must feel like a project with no light at the end of an increasingly long tunnel.

Continue reading “VIDEO: Episode 6 of Project Binky”
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Porsche Video WEC

Porsche and Le Mans: Kind of a big deal

Ferry Porsche

With the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans moments away from starting this XCAR film tells you why Stuttgart’s return to the Circuit de la Sarthe is such a big deal.

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Mercedes-Benz Motorsports Video

Good luck at Le Mans this weekend Mark

Peter Dumbreck flips at Le Mans

Let’s hope it goes better than last time.

That’s Peter Dumbreck flipping his Mercedes CLR during the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans. Mark Webber was in the same team and famously suffered the same fate during qualifying. Mark flipped his car again during the morning warm-up session. His car was withdrawn and he did not start the race.

This weekend, with Porsche, is Mark’s first return to competition at Le Mans since his DNS in 1999.

Continue reading “Good luck at Le Mans this weekend Mark”