Here’s a picture of the Audi TT-RS that just won the SP4T Class at the Nurburgring 24 Hour race. Excellent!
foto of the day. TT
This parking spot reminds of my parking spot.
Nurburgring 24 Hours is underway. Watch LIVE online.
There are several sites streaming the Nurburgring 24 Hour race, but they are all using the same live German feed—-however i am disturbed that they play awful music in the background during the race, alternating with german commentary….which is present on ALL the feeds i’ve looked at, including the official one. Those crazy germans….WHY in the world is the original broadcast playing that rubbish music!? I haven’t a clue…”Radio Nurburgring”? really?
But either way, i can’t complain—–as the full 24 hours is available for FREE online streaming.
http://tv.audi.com/portal/#/01
the Maserati Bora that never raced Le Mans.
The Maserati Bora is a classy 70s supercar in my mind—and i’ve always thought of it as the ‘kind, gentle, relaxed’ 70s italian supercar—-with its soft lines, non-aggressive stance, and its non-angry look. Compared to other 70s italian supercars, the Bora (as well as its sister car Merak) have generally come across as the gentleman in a fine wool blazer compared to its riotous peers in gold chains and silk shirts.
What I never knew is that in 1973, Maserati was set to enter the Bora into Le Mans as part of the gran touring class. Its competition would have surely been the likes of the Ferrari Daytona which had won in 1972. As i’ve understood the story from QV500.com, Maserati needed to sell 500 Boras to get it homologated for these 1973 races—-which they obviously didn’t do. Additionally the car didn’t meet the ‘other’ standards for other classes—-meaning that the Bora Competizione (or Bora GR4 or Bora Group 4) never made it onto the the starting grid, and this car was lost into the archives of 70s mystery cars. I wasn’t even aware of this car, until I stumbled across a photo of a strange looking Bora, which upon investigation resulted in a search which yielded minimal photos, information, or data. The QV500.com site had the best bit of info on the car I could find, and you can head over there to read their concise writeup about the car in question:
http://212.227.190.137/maseratiborap2.php
here are some photos was able to scavenge online, with many of them credited to a gentleman named Andreas Birner
more photos by Birner can be found here:
http://www.maserati.org.au/gallery/MASERATI/RACE_Cars/Bora_GrpIV_gallery.html
other photos:
more info and pics:
http://www.leblogauto.com/2010/06/breve-rencontre-maserati-bora-competizione.html
foto of the day. 208 CS
the gorgeous Siata 208 CS
art of the day: Monza
a vintage poster of the very cool DKW Monza!
video of the day. Widebody S4.
The B5 Audi S4 has really joined the ranks of ‘legendary’ modern euro cars—-it wasn’t just the sportier version of the car that financially rescued Audi in the mid-late 1990s (the B5 A4), but its interesting twin-turbo narrow angle V6 made tuneability of this car as easy as falling down. The S4 has always been the Audiphile staple, with the right combination of practicality, size, price, and tuneability—-all mated to an all-important quattro. 2nd hand prices for stock/lightly modded cars are stable now in the $10-15k range, and demand is high these days, especially amongst its rabidly enthusiastic following. The cars that have been converted to ‘Stage 3’ are selling between $15-25k and packing at least 400hp, if not much more…
This, though…is a stunning video outlining the appeal of this modern classic. Check out the backseats! Those might be the greatest rear seats i’ve ever seen.
the illustrations of Peter Hutton.
These are very cool and very original. I especially love the way he annotates information about the cars above the angular cutaway sketches. The Maserati 250 T-shirt is quite nice, although too red for me to order unfortunately. Prints and cards are quite affordable—a nice place to pick up a few gifts for yourself or a petrolhead in your lives.
http://www.peterhuttonillustrator.com/products via Ecurie
art of the day. A110.
Tagged alpine a110, art, artwork, drawing, painting, renault, sketch
foto of the day. Porsche 718
from the excellent Good Old Valves site.
foto of the day. 695 GS
Tagged blue, fotos, photo, photos, pics, porsche 695gs, porsche abarth 695 gs, silver, velvet, wallpaper
BMW have a seizure and unleash the Mini Coupe.
the title Kings of Automotive Ugly was held by Nissan until a couple of months ago, when BMW swiftly stole the crown with their horrendous string of terrible designs; the fact that they own Mini has now authorized them to spread their design gonorrhea to another unsuspecting victim; the Mini Coupe.
I have tried to understand this roof, however it is beyond my grasp. At times, it resembles a cock from a small deformed animal—-at other times, a turtle with a broken shell—-and finally, it sort of reminds me of a rabbit with a pancake on top of it (see below).
i can’t really get myself to post more photos of it—-however if you need more info on this $22k Mini Coupe, head over to BMW for more official information (login may be required).
Montreal + Espada + Gandini + GM V8 = LELE?
I had never heard of the ISO LELE until today. In fact I don’t even remember ever seeing a picture or anything of it. Much to my surprise I was thumbling through some UK classic car mag and saw a yellow one plastered all around a couple of pages. The first thing I thought was that it looked like a rejected Bertone concept—-the Montreal-style eyelids in the front, and the swooping Espada-like side profile. I have to say having come home and looked at some more photos—-i’m starting to see some of the 1969 Frua-inspired ‘coupe’ wedge design influences on the car pop up more. The car was penned by Gandini, which would explain this whoring of design features.
Oh, and it had a GM or a Ford sourced V8 under the hood (depending on the year it was produced between 1969 and 1974—which makes it sort of like an illegal immigrant version of a ‘wannabe’ Montreal, really….
Fascinating car. Always nice to discover new things in the world of automobiles.
all photos taken from: Concept Carz
here’s a short video i found of one being pulled out of storage and onto a flatbed. It has interesting proportions, looks a lot more ‘practical’ in shape compared to other ISOs of the time.
also a primitive, yet informative page about the Lele:
http://www.californiaclassix.com/archive/72_Iso_Lele_c107.html
Countach road trip.
Harry Metcalfe (Evo Mag) & his Lamborghini Countach embark in this video on a 900+ road trip from Monte Carlo to the UK after an Evo Magazine feature about all the various ‘versions’ of the Countach released over the years. Harry Metcalfe, the gentleman in the video—is one of the founding editors of Evo Magazine from the UK—–amongst other things, he owns the red Countach in the video.
Evo/Chris Harris; reviewing the BMW 1M & Porsche Cayman R
I 100% agree with Chris about the 911R and the ‘R’ badge on Porsches—-it is a bit of novelty, but offensive to put an “R” badge on this Cayman. Either way—-both cars are great, however i’m not really someone who cares about drifting, per se…..so much of the video where Chris is drifting isn’t my cup of tea. I am however a fan of both of these cars; although I lust like a barbiturate loaded idiot after the 1M. Holy grail stuff, for me at least.
either way…cool video.
foto of the day: A6G/54 Zagato
Maserati….yes, i like.
Le Mans winners since 1923
(1924 Bentley 3 Litre, Le Mans winning car---via speeddoctor.net) Year Car Drivers Driver Nationality 1923 Chenard & Walcker A.Lagache, R.Leonard (F) 1924 Bentley 3 litre J.Duff, F.Clement (GB) 1925 La Lorraine G.de Courcelles, A.Rossignol (F) 1926 La Lorraine R.Bloch, A.Rossignol (F) 1927 Bentley 3 litre D.Benjafield, S.Davis (GB) 1928 Bentley 4.5 W.Barnato, B.Rubin (GB) 1929 Bentley 6 speed W.Barnato, Sir H.Birkin (GB) 1930 Bentley 6 speed W.Barnato, G.Kidston (GB) 1931 Alfa Romeo 8C2300 E.Howe, Sir H.Birkin (GB) 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C2300 R.Sommer, L.Chinetti (F,I) 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C2300 R.Sommer, T.Nuvolari (F,I) 1934 Alfa Romeo 8C2300 L.Chinetti, P.Etancelin (I,F) 1935 Lagonda M45R JS Hindmarsh, L.Fontes (GB,RA) 1936 Race cancelled 1937 Bugatti 57G JP Wimille, R.Benoist (F) 1938 Delahaye 135M E.Chaboud, J.Tremoulet (F) 1939 Bugatti 57G JP Wimille, P.Veyron (F) 1940-48 Race cancelled 1949 Ferrari 166MM L.Chinetti, Lord Selsdon (USA,GB) 1950 Talbot-Lago L.Rosier, JL Rosier (F) 1951 Jaguar C-Type P.Walker, P.Whitehead (GB) 1952 Mercedes-B.300SL H.Lang, F.Riess (D) 1953 Jaguar C-Type T.Rolt, D.Hamilton (GB) 1954 Ferrari 375 F.Gonzalez, M.Trintignant (RA,F) 1955 Jaguar D-Type M.Hawthorn, I.Bueb (GB) 1956 Jaguar D-Type R.Flockhart, N.Sanderson (GB) 1957 Jaguar D-Type R.Flockhart, I.Bueb (GB) 1958 Ferrari 250TR58 O.Gendebien, P.Hill (B,USA) 1959 Aston Martin DBR1 C.Shelby, R.Salvadori (USA,GB) 1960 Ferrari 250TR59/60 O.Gendebien, P.Frere (B) 1961 Ferrari 250TR61 O.Gendebien, P.Hill (B,USA) 1962 Ferrari 330LM/TR O.Gendebien, P.Hill (B,USA) 1963 Ferrari 250P L.Scarfiotti, L.Bandini (I) 1964 Ferrari 275P J.Guichet, N.Vaccarella (F,I) 1965 Ferrari 250LM J.Rindt, M.Gregory (A,USA) 1966 Ford GT40 Mk2 C.Amon, B.McLaren (NZ) 1967 Ford GT40 Mk4 D.Gurney, AJ Foyt (USA) 1968 Ford GT40 P.Rodriguez, L.Bianchi (Mex,B) 1969 Ford GT40 J.Ickx, J.Oliver (B,GB) 1970 Porsche 917 H.Herrmann, R.Attwood (D,GB) 1971 Porsche 917 H.Marko, G.van Lennep (A,NL) 1972 Matra-Simca MS670 H.Pescarolo, G.Hill (F,GB) 1973 Matra-Simca MS670B H.Pescarolo, G.Larrousse (F) 1974 Matra-Simca MS670B H.Pescarolo, G.Larrousse (F) 1975 Mirage-Ford M8 J.Ickx, D.Bell (B,GB) 1976 Porsche 936 J.Ickx, G.van Lennep (B,NL) 1977 Porsche 936 J.Ickx,J.Barth,H.Haywood (B,D,USA) 1978 Renault Alpine JP Jaussaud, D.Pironi (F) 1979 Porsche 935 K.Ludwig,B & D.Whittington (D,USA) 1980 Rondeau Ford M379B JP Jaussaud, J.Rondeau (F) 1981 Porsche 936-81 J.Ickx, D.Bell (B,GB) 1982 Porsche 956-82 J.Ickx, D.Bell (B,GB) 1983 Porsche 956-83 V.Schuppan, H.Haywood, A.Holbert (A,USA,USA) 1984 Porsche 956B K.Ludwig, H.Pescarolo (D,F) 1985 Porsche 956B K.Ludwig, P.Barilla, J.Winter (D,I,D) 1986 Porsche 962C D.Bell, H.Stuck, A.Holbert (GB,D,USA) 1987 Porsche 962C D.Bell, H.Stuck, A.Holbert (GB,D,USA) 1988 Jaguar XJR-9LM J.Dumfries, J.Lammers, A.Wallace (GB,NL,GB) 1989 Sauber Mercedes C9 J.Mass, S.Dickens, M.Reuter (D,S,D) 1990 Jaguar XJR-12 M.Brundle, J.Nielsen, P.Cobb (GB,DK,USA) 1991 Mazda 787B J.Herbert, B.Gachot, V.Weidler (GB,B,D) 1992 Peugeot 905 D.Warwick, Y.Dalmas, M.Blundell (GB,F,GB) 1993 Peugeot 905B G.Brabham, E.Helary, C.Bouchut (AUS,F,F) 1994 Dauer Porsche962LM Y.Dalmas, H.Haywood, M.Baldi (F,USA,I) 1995 McLaren F1 GTR Y.Dalmas, JJ Lehto, M.Sekiya (F,SF,J) 1996 Porsche WSC95 D.Jones, M.Reuter, A.Wurz (USA,D,A) 1997 Porsche WSC95 M.Alboreto, S.Johansson, T.Kristensen (I,S,DK) 1998 Porsche 911 GT1-98 A.McNish, S.Ortelli, L.Aiello (GB,F,F) 1999 BMW V12 LMR Y.Dalmas, J.Winkelhock, P.Martini (F,D,I) 2000 Audi R8 F.Biela, T.Kristensen, E.Pirro (D,DK,I) 2001 Audi R8 F.Biela, T.Kristensen, E.Pirro (D,DK,I) 2002 Audi R8 F.Biela, T.Kristensen, E.Pirro (D,DK,I) 2003 Bentley EXP Speed8 R.Capello, T.Kristensen, G.Smith (I,DK,GB) 2004 Audi R8 S.Ara, T.Kristensen, R.Capello (J,DK,I) 2005 Audi R8 JJ Lehto, T.Kristensen, M.Werber (SF,DK,D) 2006 Audi R10 TDI F.Biela, E.Pirro, M.Werner (D,I,D) 2007 Audi R10 TDI F.Biela, E.Pirro, M.Werner (D,I,D) 2008 Audi R10 TDI A.McNish, R.Capello, T.Kristensen (GB,I,DK) 2009 Peugeot 908 HDI A.Wurz, D.Brabham, M.Gene (A,AUS,E) 2010 Audi R15-plus TDI T.Bernhard, R.Dumas, M.Rockenfeller (D,F,D) 2011 Audi R18 TDI A. Lotterer, M. Fassler, B. Treluyer (F,D,SU)
LIST VIA (edited with removal of distance/speed) : http://www.silhouet.com/motorsport/lemans.html
Audi wins again at Le Mans!!
VIDEO of the FINAL LAP!
Audi WINS 2011 @ Le Mans! What an exciting, inspiring, and fantastic race. Definitely one of the finest Le Mans races i’ve ever seen…….beating the Peugeot 908 by 13 seconds, and despite the horrible crashes of the #1 and #3 R18 TDIs…….the #2 car prevailed!
Audi now has 10 wins at Le Mans, Porsche is still ahead with 16.
The #2 R18 TDI was driven by the youngest team in the Audi arsenal—piloted by Fassler, Lotterer, and Treluyer.
(fantastic photos via JoshD @ Quattroworld.com —-click link for more great victory pics)
Fuck Ferrari (part 2)
This happened several hours ago—-i was far too upset to even post anything. Ferrari needs to be punished for their moronic drivers. Clearly flashing his lights, Rockenfeller in the R18 got clearly cut off by another Ferrari. UNBELIEVABLE. Again? really?
Thankfully, Mike Rockenfeller seems alright, but is being held overnight in the hospital—–as it stands right now at 10:30pm Eastern time—-Audi #2 is in the lead.
need a place to stream Le Mans?
Here’s a link i know is working if you do not have access to SPEED in the USA.
BTW, you can also stream the broadcast from SPEED when they are not live on TV, like right now—–so from 11:30am to 3:30 PM US Eastern Standard time and 8pm to 11pm US Eastern Standard time. I am not posting a direct link here to protect the Justin.tv feed—–but to go Speedtv.com and follow the Le Mans info there.
http://www.justin.tv/freddy49_lemans#/w/1321767936
Corvette C6R @ Le Mans
I’ve always conceded that Chevrolet have had amazing success in the GT/GTE class at Le Mans—–but the SOUND of the Corvette C6R is a GLORIOUS noise. Here is an onboard lap of Le Mans with a C6R from a warm up lap in 2008. I love hearing that lazy V8 rumbling…..today’s race is no different!
Fuck Ferrari.
(photo from SpeedTV)
…and their moronic, incapable, asshat drivers! #3 McNish knocked out of Le Mans by a moron driving a 458 Italia…….who believed that he should maintain a racing line even when 2 R18 TDIs with flashing LED lights are pounding the road behind him. Thanks a lot, Ferrari! My hatred grows…
BOTTOM LINE: Yes i concede McNish was too aggressive in this situation, but THE SLOWER CAR CANNOT MAINTAIN ITS RACING LINE.
video of the crash:
IEDEI 