When NASCAR introduced the car of tomorrow two years ago, there were three reasons for the new model — safety, cost containment and competition.Â
Certainly, the safety element is clear: The boxy, heavier model with a centrally located seat offers a protective cocoon for the competitor.Â
And costs? Although the new car made existing inventories obsolete and millions of dollars were invested in research and development by the teams and manufacturers to get the COT up to speed, existing organizations and start-up squads that operate on limited budgets can survive on a stable of five cars or less. No, we’re not naïve enough to believe that these teams will compete against juggernauts such as … Details
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We recently wrote up the Nissan GT-R Spec V with its lofty price tag, but proof it is good enough in lesser trim is the news it has set another lap record at the famous Nurburgring Nordschleife in Germany. Nurburgring was nicknamed The Green Hell by Jackie Stewart, and is widely considered the toughest and most demanding purpose-built race track in the world. A Japanese specification GT-R, running on Dunlop tyres with RAYS forged alloy wheels (V-spec equipment) recorded a blistering 7min 27.56 secs yesterday. Only eight cars have ever gone faster, and they all cost a lot more than a GT-R…Â Details
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Nurburgring
This is arguably the most popular most demanding and also longest track for road-car track-days, magazine tests, prototype testing and race events. Originally, the track featured four track configurations: the 28.265 km long Gesamtstrecke (“Whole Course”), which in turn consisted of the 22.810 km Nordschleife (“Northern Loop”), and the 7.747 km Sudschleife (“Southern Loop”). There also was a 2.281 km warm-up loop called Zielschleife, around the pits area. Between 1982 and 1983 the start-finish area was demolished to create a new GP-Strecke, and this is currently used for all major and international racing events. However, the Nordschleife is still in use; nicknamed The Green Hell by Jackie Stewart, it is widely considered the toughest and most demanding purpose-built race track in the world…Â Details
The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the annual showcase for the most elegant automobiles on the planet, is inviting motorcycles to appear on its show field for the first time.
On Sunday, Aug. 16, amid the classic Bentleys, Bugattis and Ferraris, a select group of motorcycles, including Vincents, Brough Superiors, Nortons, BSAs, Velocettes, Triumphs, and Ariels, will debut on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links. This year’s class of motorcycles will focus on British bikes built through 1959, and collectors with unique and storied examples are invited to request an entry application (contact Sean Jacobs at sjacobs@pebblebeachconcours.net). Future motorcycle classes are also likely to focus on bikes from specific countries or regions.
“International interest in collecting classic motorcycles is on the rise, and we want to celebrate them and do all we can to … Details
Jury deliberations will stretch into a fifth day in the complex tax evasion case of Brazilian race car driver Helio Castroneves and two co-defendants.
The Miami jury finished work Wednesday without reaching a verdict.
U.S. District Judge Donald Graham gave them new definitions for some obscure areas of tax law…Â Details