McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Endurance Racer Coming in 2012

Twelve years after the last six McLaren F1 GTR “Longtails” hit the tarmac at Le Mans, the British supercar maker and CRS Racing have begun work on an MP4-12C-based GT3 racecar. According to the plan that was revealed today, the MP4-12C GT3 will be available in limited numbers starting from 2012.

The McLaren F1 GTR was a very successful racecar, taking the checkered flag at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on its debut, so the bar has been set pretty high for the new car. Nevertheless, featuring an advanced one-piece carbon fiber chassis and finely tuned aerodynamic body, the MP4-12C should provide an excellent starting point for the development of the race version.

“The 12C’s architecture and design was always aimed at high-performance and ease of maintenance - two key criteria for potential customers. Combine that with the vast amount of racing experience in our automotive team, and CRS Racing’s specialist development experience, and the 12C GT3 should be an exciting proposition for the top teams planning to race in GT3 from 2012”, said Martin Whitmarsh, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Team Principal.

As part of the development process, McLaren and CRS Racing will enter 12C GT3 prototypes in select European GT races next year. Further details about the racing program are also going to be announced in 2011. Potential clients can register their interest at "www.mclarengt.com."

Back to the Future: Formula One Racecar Lapping the Nürburgring Circuit in 1967

The Nürburgring circuit is called “The Green Hell” for a good reason. Measuring 24.4 km (15.2 miles) in today’s combined version that uses a part of the Formula 1 track, it’s not an easy circuit to master. Complete a fast lap was even more difficult in the late ’60, when Formula 1 was nowhere near the high-tech parade it represents now. Back then, fearless drivers raced cars with skinny tires that had very few, if any safety features and weren't exactly easy to drive.

Check out the video after the break to see 1967 Formula 1 car running the Green Hell. At the time, the Nordschleife measured 22.8 km (14.2 miles) and had 174 turns.

VIDEO: Race Driver Fast Laps NZ Circuit in New Volvo S60 Blindfolded!

And you thought your latest weekend track race was adrenaline-filled... Enter the realm of Jonny Reid, one of New Zealand's top racing drivers. The 27-year-old Kiwi put a brand new 2011 Volvo S60 to the test around Hampton Downs raceway in Auckland. Nothing spectacular there you say? How about if we told you that he did it blindfolded? Yes, that's right; the young racing driver couldn't see a thing.

According to the promo event's organizers, it took Reid more than one try but in the end, he managed to return a lap time of 1:28 with a top speed of 193km/h (119 mph). "He was guided only by the feel of the car, his knowledge of the track, and co-driver Earl Bamber's voice," said Volvo. Pretty neat, though we're not sure who was the bravest of the two; the driver or the co-driver... Scroll down to watch the clips.

Lorinser Readies Mercedes C-Class Based LV8 to Compete at Tuner Grand Prix

Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Lorinser, has announced that it will participate in the 2009 Tuner Gran Prix that takes place in Hockenheim in Germany from June 26 to 27, with a specially modified Mercedes-Benz C-Class dubbed LV8. The tuner did not release any details on the car -though we're suspecting that the LV8 means it will be equipped with a V8 engine- but the firm's managing director stated that aside from the special tires, the LV8 will be totally street legal and that it will be offered for sale by Lorinser at a later date.

Argentina and Chile to Co-Host 2010 Dakar Rally

Following the 2009 Dakar Rally, it was announced today that Argentina and Chile will once again co-host the next Dakar that will start in Buenos Aires on Friday 1st of January 2010 and return to the Argentine capital for the finish on Sunday 17th January, with stages taking place in both South American countries. After almost three-decades in Africa, the organizers canceled the 2008 rally due to security concerns in the African republic of Mauritania and staged the Dakar for the first time in South America in 2009.

VIDEO: Lexus LF-A V10 Supercar Proves Too Hot for the Nurburgring...

Damn that Youtube; you can't have an unfortunate moment these days without someone uploading a video and circulating it around the web for the entire world to see. Lexus' "Moment of Zen" came during this past weekend's Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race when one of the two participating V10-powered LF-A sportscars caught on fire. If you dying to see what happened out of pure interest (or boredom, doesn't matter) hit the jump to watch the video.

World Premiere for Ferrari's New 458 Challenge at Bologna Motor Show

The 35th edition of the Bologna Motor Show in Italy, which runs for the public from December 4 to 12, saw Ferrari lifting the covers off the 458 Challenge, a track-only version of the automakers fiery -no pun intended- supercar. The 458 Challenge boasts a host of upgrades over its road-legal sibling to make it race worthy when it hits the grid in Ferrari's one-make race series from 2011.

While the Challenge keeps the 458 Italia's direct injection 4.5-liter V8 with an output of 570 hp at 9,000 rpm intact, Ferrari's engineers have made modifications to the gear ratios and calibration of its dual-clutch F1 gearbox to further improve torque at lower revs. The 458 Challenge is equipped with the E-Diff electronic differential already employed on the road-going version, a first for Ferrari's track-only cars. Another first for a Ferrari Challenge model is the adoption of the firm's F1-Trac traction control system.

The race-spec model also gets a specific suspension set-up with steel uniball joints, stiffer springs, single-rate alloy dampers and a ride height lowered by 50mm all round. Stopping power is provided by the new generation Brembo CCM2 brakes integrated with the latest ABS system which debuted on the 599XX, Ferrari’s experimental laboratory car, while it rides on centre-nut 19-inch forged rims wrapped in larger dimension Pirelli slicks.

Ferrari says significant work has gone into cutting down the car’s weight with the company's engineers concentrating on reducing the thickness of the bodyshell panels and on using lightweight materials, such as carbon-fibre and Lexan.

The combined result of all these measures is the improvement of the car’s lap time at Fiorano by two seconds over that of its predecessor, resulting in a new record of just 1’16.5”. According to the Italian company, the amount of lateral grip the new car generates is 1.6G.

Along with the 458 Challenge, Ferrari is also displaying a variety of other racing models from the past and present at its Bologna Motor Show stand, including a 430 GTC owned by the AF Corse team Ferrari and an F1 model.

New Audi TT GT4 Concept with 340HP comes to Life at DTM Race in Shanghai

When we saw the Ginetta G55 GT4 class racecar, we were impressed. Packing a potent 370HP engine at an affordable price, it's good looking, too, even though for obvious reasons that matters a lot less in the world of motorsports. Now, Audi also wants a piece of the GT4 action. On the occasion of the DTM race in Shanghai, the German automaker presented the concept of a GT4 car based on the TT sports coupe.

The Ingolstadt-based automaker has not yet released full engine specs, but it did note that the GT4 is equipped with a TFSI engine delivering about 340 hp, linked to an a S-tronic transmission with a differential lock. A modified production suspension with adjustable dampers, plus 9.5 x 18 inch light alloy wheels are also part of the racing package.

The front apron, rear apron and the rear wing are sourced from the production Audi TT RS, while the hood, doors and trunk lid are made of CFRP and the windows of plastic.

Being a racecar, the GT4 also gets a roll-cage, a safety-optimized fuel tank along with a host of other modifications.

The racer will set buyers back for about €120,000 (or US $158,868, at today’s exchange rates) which is a lot more than the Ginetta’s price tag (€88,387 or US $117,016). Even so, Audi says that the TT GT4 is an affordable option for potential customers with the company not only targeting Europe but also the Asian market.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Find of the Day: 10 Famous Racing Driver Helmets up for Sale

Many car and motorcycle enthusiasts consider themselves to be far more skillful than your average drivers / riders. And true enough, some really are, constantly honing their skills during weekend track events. But the odds of an enthusiast becoming a Formula 1 World Champion are slimmer than winning a lottery ticket twice in a row.

Facing reality is never an easy task, but what can you do? Well, if your pocket can handle the cost, you can always keep your fantasy alive with some cool motorsports memorabilia like a famous driver’s racing helmet. Besides being a good investment, you’ll be the talk of the track day for sure. Check out our selection after the break, compiled from the extensive list found on The Memorabilia Experience (TME) sales site.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

1. Emerson Fittipaldi - Price: $19,500

Used in the 1974 and 1975 Formula 1 championships, Fittipaldi's helmet is signed on the crown, and is accompanied by a picture of the Brazilian driver. Emmo was piloting the McLaren Ford M23 at that time.

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2. Kenny Roberts - Price: $5,000

The father of Kenny Roberts Jr. wore this helmet in 1972. The scars denoting heavy usage make it even more appealing. Roberts went on to become two-time winner of the AMA Grand National Championship in 1973 and 1974. He also won three consecutive 500cc World Championships, between 1978-1980, and three Daytona 200 races. This is the only father and son duo to have won the 500cc title.

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3. Jody Scheckter - Price: $15,000

This is the helmet that Jody Scheckter wore when he won his first Formula 1 race, the 1974 Swedish Grand Prix. Driving the Tyrrell Ford 007, he was also victorious in that year’s British GP. There are two Goodyear “flying feet” painted on the side, commemorating each victory.

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4. Gilles Villeneuve - Price: Upon request

Gilles Villeneuve helmets are extremely rare, as it’s said that he only used 15 during his entire Formula 1 career. He wore this example in 1979, while driving for Ferrari. Manufactured by Bell, it was showing signs of fatigue, so the original logos were reapplied and the chipped paint retouched. Now ain't that a shame...

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5. Mario Andretti - Price: $12,500

No, this is not Darth Vader’s racing apparel, but Mario Andretti’s Indy and possibly Formula 1 Simpson Bandit helmet, according to The Memorabilia Experience. It is signed, which makes it a good investment.

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6. Ayrton Senna - Price: Upon request

This is an original Shoei Quattro, worn during several races of the 1993 Formula 1 season. It’s numbered and bears authentic inspection stickers. On the top, it has four air vents that were only used in some races. The radio was removed, but there is evidence of where it was inside the helmet, says the seller. In 1993, Senna was driving the McLaren Ford MP4-8.

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7. Nigel Mansell - Price: $22,500

It seems that Nigel Mansell racing gear is also hard to find, so his fans should grab this Arai helmet while they can. Worn in 1991, it comes with the original metal breather tube. TME’s website states that Mansell himself confirmed that this is an original piece.

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8. Jimmy Vasser - Price: $6,495

Jimmy Vasser won Indy Car in 1996 driving for the Chip Ganassi Racing team, alongside Alex Zanardi. He was the last American to win the series, which later became Champ Car. For this alone, the signed and inscribed helmet could mean so much more for some fans. Comes complete with the radio transmitter.

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9. Valentino Rossi - Price: Upon request

Valentino Rossi is Moto GP’s Schumacher, only better. We say this in the light of the 8 World Championships he won, riding in three different classes. TME says Rossi helmets are also very rare. This one was made by AGV and features a special “sun and moon” graphic, alongside Valentino’s signature. The helmet was worn during late 1996 and then throughout most of 1997.

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10. Michael Schumacher - Price: $25,000

We couldn’t have left Schumacher out of our Top 10. Behold his 1998 Imola helmet, made by Bell. It is signed and the race date is written on the crown. If you’re curious: no, Schumacher didn’t win that race. He came second driving the Ferrari F300. Nevertheless, we’re pretty sure wealthy fans would be very happy to own the helmet.