racing prototype:
Aston Martin’s growing presence on the track continues with the announcement that the British marque will be represented at this year’s ADAC Nürburgring 24-hour race on 24/25 May with a DBRS9 and two Vantage N24s.
Aston Martin Salzburg-Wien-Geneve is entering a DBRS9 which will be supported by Aston Martin Racing and driven by Aston Martin Racing works drivers Tomas Enge (Czech Republic) and Stefan Mücke (Germany). The DBRS9 driving squad will be completed by Austrians Robert Lechner and Karl Wendlinger.
Joining the DBRS9, Aston Martin will debut a technically enhanced version of the V8 Vantage N24, piloted by Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez, factory development drivers Chris Porritt and Wolfgang Schuhbauer, and experienced race driver and journalist Richard Meaden. A second factory entered Vantage N24 will be driven by journalists Matthew Marsh and Shin-ichi Katsura, partnered by ex-Porsche SuperCup racer Oliver Mathai.
>> read
A1GP World Cup of Motorsport has revealed the first image of its brand new ‘Powered by Ferrari’ car for use in season four (2008/09).
The CAD drawing was released ahead of the car’s inaugural shakedown test in Southern England.
A1GP’s own TV commentator and Formula One legend, John Watson, will have the honour of driving the car for the first time, powered by a V8 Ferrari engine producing in the region of 600 bhp.
The chassis is based on the design of the highly successful F2004 chassis, incorporating A1GP’s core values to deliver close, exciting racing among a competitive field where overtaking is an essential part of the entertainment.
A1GP technical director, John Travis, is overseeing the design, development and production of the car from premises in Bognor Regis in the UK, with Rory Byrne acting as consultant. Meanwhile the work on the manufacture and supply of the A1GP engine is being overseen by Ferrari’s Jean-Jacques His.
>> read
This weekend Corvette will participate in the FIA GT4 European Cup at Silverstone. The English circuit hosts the first two rounds of this FIA Championship. Among the cars on the grid is the new Corvette GT4, built by Callaway. Earlier, the experienced German specialist was already responsible for a number of very successful Corvette racecars. The new car will be driven by the Dutchmen Danny van Dongen and Rogier Kroymans, both team members of the Kroymans Racing team.
The 2008 C6 GT4 is built by Callaway Competition in Leingarten, Germany. This car is based on the 2008 C6 model. The 6.2 V8 LS3 engine features dry-sump lubrication. The close-ratio 6-speed manual gearbox is supplied by Tremec and the triple-plate race clutch by Tilton. Further modifications: ventilated disc brakes from AP Racing (front: diameter 355 mm, 6-piston calipers; rear: diameter 330 mm, 4-piston calipers), racing ABS, cast-magnesium wheels from OZ Racing with Pirelli tires (front: 265/645-18; rear: 305/680-18) and a Koenig Hans bucket seat with 6-point safety harness. 
The C6 GT4 is also equipped with a roll cage, safety fuel tank with a capacity of 104 litres and refuelling valves on both sides, pneumatic jack system, polycarbonate rear and side windows and a GM Performance T1 chassis with adjustable anti-roll bars front and rear.
The engine delivers 437 bhp, but Callaway can boost this to 500 bhp for non-FIA race categories. An aerodynamic body kit is available too, consisting of a large front spoiler with splitter and a rear wing for added downforce. These options are fitted on Corvettes participating in the Dutch Supercar Challenge (DSC).
>> read 2008 Chevrolet Corvette GT4 Picture Gallery .
Ferrari will unveil this week-end at the Silverstone circuit in England the F430 Challenge cars and the F430 GTC will be making their debut in the FIA GT Championship.
Ten F430 GTC will line up for the start of the first FIA GT race, split between six teams. Among the drivers, worthy of note the presence of reigning champion, Toni Vilander: the Finn races as part of a pairing with Italy’s Gimmi Bruni, who finished second in 2007. Press release after the jump. >> read
Aston Martin Racing today unveiled the first official images of the Vantage GT2, which will make its race debut with James Watts Automotive at the first round of the Le Mans Series at Barcelona on 5 April.
Robin Brundle, Aston Martin Racing’s new managing director, said: “The new Vantage GT2 completes our product portfolio for 2008 with competitive cars now available in every category. Thanks to our experience with the DBRS9, we have been able to develop a bio-ethanol fuelled version, which will be eligible to compete in an increasing number of series now accommodating this greener fuel, including the American Le Mans Series.” The Vantage GT2 has been designed to run on both standard and E85 bio-ethanol fuel. Aston Martin Vantage GT2 - first official images Picture Gallery .
This year at the Techno-Classica in Essen, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, and its Classic Customer Centre will be giving visitors a glimpse behind the scenes. The company’s Classic department, which has its home on the main Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen site, will be on show from 27th to 30th March 2008 at the greatest vintage car fair in the world. Under the spotlight will be its product and service range in connection with repair, maintenance, care, restoration and the procurement of original spare parts for Classic Porsche models.
On the Porsche stand in Hall 3 the emphasis will be on detailed advice provided by Porsche’s own restoration specialists. The experts will be happy to answer visitors’ questions – ranging from the availability of spare parts for Porsche Classic models to the maintenance and servicing of historic vehicles. Porsche drivers who enjoy working on their Classic vehicles themselves will also be well served: there will be a large range of literature available on the stand, from owners’ manuals through parts catalogues and CDs to repair instructions. In addition, the ‘living workshop’, in which Porsche specialists will be demonstrating their skills to enthusiasts and experts alike, will give visitors a chance to see original works’ restoration.
>> read
The Nismo GT-R starting from the second on the grid and driven by Satoshi Motoyama and Benoit Treluyer, won the first race of the 2008 Super GT series in Japan.
At 2pm local time, 42 GT race cars started the formation lap led by a Nissan GT-R Safety Car under perfect race conditions. The two NISMO GT-Rs, starting from the front row, made a clean start. Unfortunately, the CALSONIC GT-R in third place on the grid was hit from behind on the first lap and was taken out of the race for repairs. >> read
Angelo Lazaris will present the 2008 Lotus Exige GT3 this week-end at the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix. Based on the European race car that competed in the FIA GT3 category, this is the world’s fastest Lotus, fitted with extreme aerodynamic aids and a highly developed 1.8-litre engine based on the same unit in the Exige S road car.
Lotus Engineering’s work on the 1.8-litre VVTL-I four-cylinder Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine has been pushing the boundaries of just what is attainable from a production road car engine. It has evolved from 189 hp, to 252 hp as fitted to the road registerable (UK) Lotus 2-Eleven, now peaking at a massive 350 hp, in 2007 GT3 specification - or an increase of 85 percent.
That’s an 89 percent increase over base specification, and a colossal 198 hp per-litre. In comparison a Porsche 997 GT3 generates 111hp/litre and the Aston Martin DBRS9 achieves 83hp/litre in race trim. A Holden Commodore SS road car produces just 60hp/litre. Press release after the jump. >> read 2008 Lotus Exige GT3 Picture Gallery .
Ford announced that the first 19 Mustang FR500S unveiled last year at the SEMA Show will be delivered at the inaugural Ford Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup racing series. The FR500S will be priced at $75,000.
The FR500S will be powered by a 4.6-liter 3-valve V-8 found in the Mustang GT, producing about 325 hp. Changes to the car include a new cold air intake, a modified exhaust system, performance tuning by Roush, a stripped down interior to remove excess weight, the addition of a rear wing and a roll cage.
The FR500S was co-developed by Ford Racing Technology and Miller Motorsports Park and is the newest addition to the Mustang FR500 racing family. A total of 77 cars were manufactured at AutoAlliance International in Flat Rock, MI, with additional race-prep fabrication at Watson Engineering (Taylor, MI) and final race prep at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, UT, the FR500S is the first race car built by Ford Motor Company at a production facility intended for sale to the public. 2008 Ford Mustang FR500S Picture Gallery
>> read
Skoda has started testing the first prototype of the Skoda Fabia Super 2000 today. Designed to be used in the Super 2000 category, the vehicle is based on the second-generation Fabia and, in compliance with the FIA regulations, is equipped with a two-litre atmospheric four-cylinder petrol engine, a six-speed sequential transmission and a four-wheel drive system with three mechanical differentials.
Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Eckhard Scholz, Skoda Auto BOD Member responsible for technological development, said: “We are glad to have started testing the Fabia Super 2000. This year we are planning to optimise and certify the vehicle so that we can use it on both national and international levels. When exactly will the vehicle be released for competition use will depend on the achieved progress, relevant test results and the final certification. Then we are also planning to offer the vehicle to private teams.
Based on a customer service arrangement, further development work on the vehicle will be done in close cooperation with our importers worldwide“.
Martin Lauer, Head of Corporate Communications, adds: “The history of over hundred years of involvement in motorsport is unique, and we are proud to be able to continue the success story with the Fabia Super 2000. We believe that the vehicle will become a successful part of this tradition, because car racing is popular all over the world and offers great opportunities to promote our products“.
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