Kevin Michael Harvick Virgil Ernest Irvan III Kenny Dale Irwin Jr Dale Arnold Jarrett
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Darlington Raceway Rededicates Infield Media Center in Honor of Jim Hunter
Richard Allen Craven Kerry Dale Earnhardt Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr
Darlington Raceway Rededicates Infield Media Center in Honor of Jim Hunter
Michael Duane Bliss Kurt Thomas Busch Kyle Thomas Busch Jeffrey Tyler Burton
Whitmarsh: ?We?ve just got to keep progressing?
Charles Robert Hamilton V Kevin Michael Harvick Virgil Ernest Irvan III Kenny Dale Irwin Jr
We Hit the 2011 California Mille Classic Car Rally ? Part 1
Huff leads Chevrolet podium sweep
Campaign launched to save Team Lotus
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Friday, April 29, 2011
Lotus F1 row takes new twist
A new twist in the long-running row over the use of the Lotus name in Formula 1 has emerged with the announcement that the owners of Team Lotus have bought niche sportscar manufacturer Caterham.
Tony Fernandes and his partners see Caterham, which makes replicas of the old Lotus Seven two-seater open-top sportscar, as a company with historic links and "synergies" with Team Lotus that allows them to realise their ambition of diversifying into making road cars.
Their original plan was to do that with Group Lotus, the company that markets Lotus sportscars, but as Fernandes puts it: "That obviously didn't turn out very well."
What the Malaysian businessman, and owner of budget airline Air Asia, is referring to is the increasingly bitter dispute between him and Group Lotus that has ended up in the High Court.
When Fernandes and his partners first set up what was then called the Lotus Racing F1 team last year, it was with the blessing of Group Lotus, which licensed them the name. But in the course of 2010 Group Lotus's new chairman Dany Bahar decided he wanted to go his own way in F1.
He terminated Fernandes' licence, and switched instead to a sponsorship deal with the Renault team. Fernandes, seeing this coming, bought the rights to the historic Team Lotus name as a fall-back.
Both issues - the termination of the licence and the ownership of the Team Lotus name - are wrapped up in a court case that was heard last month, with a verdict expected early in May.
Fernandes is widely expected to win the rights to continue to use Team Lotus. He bought it legitimately from its previous owner, David Hunt, brother of the late world champion James, and Group Lotus has always acted in the past as if it knew it did not own the name.
Nevertheless, buying Caterham does provide Fernandes with an interesting fall-back option should the court case go against him. Now he owns his own car company, he could re-name the F1 team after it should he want to.
Team Lotus owner Tony Fernandes now has Caterham in his business portfolio
For now, though, he says that is not an option. Fernandes told BBC Sport that he is "absolutely not" going to change the name of Team Lotus. Although he does add: "Obviously we have to wait for the verdict to see exactly what has been decided. But we see a very natural link between Team Lotus and Caterham, and they can be synergistic and promote each other, and there is some DNA between the two anyway. It's not like we've bought a brand that has no association with Team Lotus at all. It's just the opposite."
The Caterham name will, though, soon appear on the Team Lotus F1 cars - although exactly when and how has yet to be decided - and the company will eventually contribute to the Lotus budget as a sponsor.
Assuming he retains the rights to Team Lotus, that still leaves Fernandes in the sticky position of providing free promotion to a company with which he is in dispute and has no links.
Unsurprisingly, he did not want to get into that on the day of his big announcement, but he could not resist a little snipe or two at Bahar.
Fernandes says he sees Caterham as very much following the legacy of the late Lotus founder Colin Chapman. "In some ways," he says, "we have reunited the Chapman history. Lotus is all about lightweight, more is less. That is all the terminology we like, and it fits with F1. We feel there is a huge opportunity for Caterham in a market no one is really looking at right now."
By that, he means lightweight, affordable sportscars that are within reach of ordinary people. This was Chapman's approach, and one which, Fernandes says, "certain people have abandoned". That is a reference to Bahar's plans to take Lotus upmarket and challenge Porsche and Ferrari with his mooted five new Lotus models by 2015.
So far, the dispute between the two Lotuses has not reached the race tracks of F1.
Team Lotus started this season with chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne setting ambitious targets of catching Renault by the end of the season, but that looks out of reach for now - Renault have started the season strongly enough to set their own difficult goal, of beating Ferrari to third place in the constructors' championship.
But Team Lotus have also started the season well. The car has had reliability problems, but it also has underlying pace, and in the last race in China they beat established teams for the first time since entering F1 at the beginning of last year, with Heikki Kovalainen finishing ahead of a Sauber and a Williams.
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Kovalainen's performance is a clear indicator that Lotus's more realistic target, of scoring points and mixing it with the established teams, is achievable.
Fernandes himself has his feet firmly on the ground. "You build things properly and with the right structure and things will fall into place," he says. "My target this year was to maintain 10th, and hopefully sneak a few points along the way. That is still my target.
"It is beginning to feel more realistic now, but one can't build a challenging F1 team in two years. We are competing against guys who have been there for 30 years but obviously the team smell big steps of improvement. They smell points.
"I never want to kill confidence, I encourage it, but I am also a realist and we are competing against nine guys who have been doing it for years and are very good at it.
"But if you'd asked me do I think at Turkey (the next race on 8 May) you'd be where you are, I wouldn't have believed it.
"We've got a good package and good people, we have put all the infrastructure in place.
"We're working on a new wind tunnel; that's the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle, and I think if you put all the pieces of the puzzle together then the results will come in good time."
Whitmarsh: ?We?ve just got to keep progressing?
Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth Alan Dennis Kulwicki
INDYCAR: Buddy Rice Joins Panther For Indy
BC-CAR?Hamlin?s Showdown,Advisory, CAR
Jason Leffler David Carl Allison Gregory Jack Biffle David Lee Blaney
1930 Ford Model A Station Wagon
It has been a while since I finished something so I decided not to do a WIP on this one. I took the Revell 1930 Ford station wagon street rod and went the other way with it, combining it with a Monogram 1930 Ford Cabriolet chassis. Here is the end result which I did as close to stock as possible. Along the way I added brake rods, wiring and other detailing under the hood and picked out all the wonderful woody wagon details molded into the kit. Thanks for looking.
Eric
Official: Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 released [video]
Kyle Eugene Petty Floyd Anthony Raines Scott Russell Riggs Hiroshi Fushida
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Newsham parts ways with Geoff Steel
Shinji Nakano and Nicolas De Crem join OAK Racing's #49 LMP2 for Le Mans 24 Hours
Audi reveals R18 Le Mans colours
Arlington Republicans Come Out Against Bike-Share Expansion
Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth Alan Dennis Kulwicki
Thursday, April 14, 2011
MOTOGP: U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!
Paco Godia Carel Godin de Beaufort Christian Goethals Paul Goldsmith
Vettel eases to Malaysian GP win
Sebastian Vettel made it four wins from the last four races as he took the chequered flag at the Malaysian Grand Prix.
With the rain expected for the race never fully materialising, Vettel was able to keep cool in the Malaysian heat to extend his Championship lead to 24 points.
The German led from pole ...
Trevor Bayne Out! Pet Care Toyota Jason Leffler David Carl Allison
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Matt Kenseth Grabs Texas Win, Leads the most Laps
Clint Bowyer, No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet Impala Talladega Preview
Q3: Vettel pops up
Kurt Thomas Busch Kyle Thomas Busch Jeffrey Tyler Burton Richard Allen Craven
Singapore Designer shows off his sleek and sexy 2020 Proton
Posted on 04.12.2011 16:00 by Simona
Filed under: | coupe | concept cars | sports cars | Cars | Car News
We have to give props to the many automotive designers out there that get their kicks out of looking into their crystal ball and envisioning what the cars of tomorrow will look like. Even more worthy attention should go to young designers that may still be wet behind the ears, but can deliver on style and vision every time. A couple of years ago we reported on a Ghost Motorcycle Concept by a young Singapore designer by the name of Imran Othman. That same designer has now moved on to bigger things with his 2020 Proton sports car.
Othman’s sports car was designed to challenge any sports coupe out there. Its exterior design continues on with the usual Proton language, meaning a car with impressive aerodynamics and a tiger-like look inspired by Proton’s symbol. The concept’s exterior shows off curvy, sexy shapes, while the interior combines luxury with comfort.
Since this was designed as a 2020 vehicle, Imran Othman decided it would run on LPG, but said nothing of the power output this would achieve. Not that it matters anyway, if this "tiger on wheels" ever hits the streets, it would surely smash the competition.
Singapore Designer shows off his sleek and sexy 2020 Proton originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 12 April 2011 16:00 EST.
Williams drivers regret lack of speed
Carl Michael Edwards III William Clyde Elliott Jeffrey Michael Gordon Charles Robert Hamilton IV
Montezemolo wants improvement from Ferrari | F1 Fanatic round-up
Kevin Paul Lepage William Ashton Lewis Jr Sterling Burton Marlin Mark Anthony Martin
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
RCR Bolsters Partnership Marketing, Business Development Staff
Lexus LF-Gh Hybrid Concept ? Auto Shows
Alonso, Hamilton hit with penalties
2012 Cadillac SRX gains more powerful 3.6-liter engine, new features
Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Cadillac, GM
Cadillac has officially announced a host of changes for the 2012 SRX crossover, including a new standard engine - General Motors' 3.6-liter direct-injected V6. This powerplant will serve as the only available engine on the SRX here in the United States, replacing both the base 3.0-liter V6 and 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 that was axed earlier this year.
Under the hood of the 2012 SRX, the 3.6-liter mill produces 300 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque - increases of 35 hp and 37 lb-ft over the anemic 3.0-liter engine that served as the base engine when the SRX was refreshed for the 2010 model year. The new V6 offers the same amount of horsepower as the discontinued 2.8-liter turbocharged unit, though it's down on torque by 35 lb-ft.
In addition to its new heart, the 2012 SRX will offer standard Bluetooth connectivity on all models, and a standard heated steering wheel on luxury, performance and premium trims. Additionally, performance and premium trim levels get a new 20-inch wheel option. Pricing will be announced in a few months when the 2012 SRX officially starts production. GM's official press blast is available after the jump.
[Source: General Motors]
Continue reading 2012 Cadillac SRX gains more powerful 3.6-liter engine, new features
2012 Cadillac SRX gains more powerful 3.6-liter engine, new features originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsKasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth Alan Dennis Kulwicki Travis Wade Kvapil
McLaren ?in much better shape? in 2011
STR unsure of sidepod incident cause
Monday, April 11, 2011
"WE'RE ENCOURAGED THAT WE HAVE A GOOD, STRONG PACKAGE"
Travis Wade Kvapil Robert Allen Labonte Terrence Lee Labonte Randy Joseph Lajoie
Shocks in store at Malaysian GP?
If last years Malaysian Grand Prix is anything to go by, then we could be in for some real surprises this weekend.
Wet weather has been predicted yet again and the likes of Sauber, Toro Rosso, Williams and Force India could benefit from this. Adrian Sutil has shown he can cut it in the ...
Dale Arnold Jarrett Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth
Activists? Warnings About Miami?s Brickell Avenue Prove Prophetic
Miami's dangerous Brickell Avenue claims another victim. Photo: Transit Miami
Miami’s Brickell Avenue Claims Another Victim: A cyclist is in critical condition after being hit by a driver on Miami’s Brickell Avenue, a notoriously dangerous road. [...]
2012 BMW M5 to offer all-wheel drive - report
Sunday, April 10, 2011
F1 2011 Calendar Qualifying and Practice Session Timings
Feed the Children to Aid Regional Communities Through Kentucky Speedway NASCAR Nationwide Series Event Sponsorship
Out! Pet Care Toyota Jason Leffler David Carl Allison Gregory Jack Biffle
Saturday, April 9, 2011
2011 Malaysian Grand Prix grid | 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix grid
Juan Pablo Montoya Joseph Francis Nemechek III Ryan Joseph Newman Kyle Eugene Petty
mpc 1967 Pontiac Firebird from JAPAN
My New project is mpc 1967 Pontiac Firebird.
I bought it on ebay about $20. Because it was Junker Built. Some parts were gone. It Had Bad chrome.
At first I disassembled and stripped old paint. Luckily Body has no Damage. I carefully primed and scribe door-line by backside of design-knife.
Front and rear Bumper from modelhaus. For realistic looks, I modified molded headlight to amt 1990s issue Ford Fairlane’s lense and reflecter.
I changed the tires to MODELHAUS one. Wheels were made from mpc 1969 Firebird wheel disc and mpc 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix rim. I rise front and rear suspension for sitting right stance. I narrowed front and rear track.
Subject : mpc 1967 Pontiac Firebird
Inspiration : Real car
Reference : Collectible Automobile Magazine, sales burochure, Color chips, Muscle car review Magazine, Scale auto Magazine.
Color of car : “Regimental Red” Genuine GM color
Modified point : Sitting stance, Head light, MODELHAUS Tires and Wheels.
Engine : amt(ex mpc)1969 Firebird 1990s issue.
Head light unit : amt 1966 Fairlane 1990s issue. Aftermarket parts : Modelhaus Restoration chrome Parts
Time to built : Three months
Patrick Gaillard Divina Galica Nanni Galli Oscar Alfredo Gбlvez
Garcia takes pole for Grand-Am race
Randy Joseph Lajoie Kevin Paul Lepage William Ashton Lewis Jr Sterling Burton Marlin
Power still quickest in practice two
GOP Budget Would Slash Transpo Spending, Entrench Oil Dependence
With the release of House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s budget proposal yesterday, right wing calls for massive cuts to transportation spending are now enshrined in the GOP leadership’s fiscal plan. Ryan singled out transportation as an area [...]
Two Drunk-Driving Cops Crash Cars In Two Nights
Drunk off-duty New York City police officers have crashed their vehicles each of the last two nights.
On Wednesday evening [...]
The Continental: Browsing Through Old Brochures, Downsized European Luxury, and a Great Mazda
Lancer kits homologated by FIA
Richard Allen Craven Kerry Dale Earnhardt Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr
Friday, April 8, 2011
The Continental: Browsing Through Old Brochures, Downsized European Luxury, and a Great Mazda
Floyd Anthony Raines Scott Russell Riggs Hiroshi Fushida Beppe Gabbiani
Hinchcliffe secures NHR drive
James Christopher McMurray Casey James Mears Juan Pablo Montoya Joseph Francis Nemechek III
Ocean signs Cecotto, Mirocha
Oscar Alfredo Gбlvez Fred Gamble Howden Ganley Frank Gardner
In Energy-Uncertain Future, Indiana DOT Bets That Nothing Will Change
Virgil Ernest Irvan III Kenny Dale Irwin Jr Dale Arnold Jarrett Jimmie Kenneth Johnson
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Complete - 1970 Challenger TA - Panther Pink
Just completed my third Challenger, this time a TA model in Panther Pink. I used photoetched parts on this one.
Carel Godin de Beaufort Christian Goethals Paul Goldsmith Josй Froilбn Gonzбlez
Tesla CEO calls Top Gear 'completely phony' - a bad week for Clarkson
2012 Chrysler 300C SRT8 Spy Photos ? Future Cars
Charles Robert Hamilton IV Charles Robert Hamilton V Kevin Michael Harvick Virgil Ernest Irvan III
Ssangyong Chairman H unveiled
Ernst Klodwig Kamui Kobayashi Helmuth Koinigg Heikki Kovalainen