Motoring News » Motorsport

Top Gear law suit over Tesla review

Alan — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 01:37:55 +0000

Road tests that criticize a car’s performance have caused many motoring journalists that are worth their salt problems with the car’s PR machine at some point in time. The problems or differences are usually only a line of strong e-mails and even a heated telephone conversation or two and even cancelled contracts for advertising have known to happen but a media company being sued over a car review is unheard of.

Well now there has been one and it is BBC’s Top Gear TV show. High end electric car manufacturer Telsa Motors from the USA has sued TG because of an episode that was aired in December 2008 where a Lotus Elise, petro-powered, was raced against a Telsa Roadster.

After just 88km the action ended due to the Telsa car running out of charge but Telsa says the car’s batteries never died and TG’s response was they were only trying to show what could happen and Telsa also states that the claim the brakes broke is false as well. Telsa asked for a retraction but when that never came and the showed continued airing on a DVD and as repeats, Telsa decided to file their lawsuit.

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Parker Hannifin technology supports development of world’s first 1,000mph car

Alan — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:14:46 +0000

Parker Hannifin the leader in control and motion technologies has announced their support for the pioneer Bloodhound SSC project which will work on developing a car that is able to reach speeds of up 1,000mph on land which would break the current record for top speeds.

As a large sponsor of the programme Parker will offer a supply of cutting edge hydraulics gear that will be used during both the initial test stages and into the final system that is designed for the car. The company has also contributed equipment that will make up the air braking system, the aerodynamic trim of the car, and offer ground support equipment when it comes time for the car to make its attempt at breaking the record.

The Bloodhound project believes that they will be able to break the current speed record of 763mph and far surpass it with the lofty goal of 1,000mph in mind. The mission statement states that the goal is look the impossible in the eye and then go beyond it using a combination of mathematics, technology, and science engineering. This statement aligns with the business philosophy of Parker which is to control technology and develop innovate solutions to offer customers the best commercial and technical items on the market.

Bloodhound is intended to become a platform for the best of British engineering and to inspire and motivate the engineers of the future. It is being built around cutting edge technology, including a Eurojet EJ200 jet engine, to accelerate the vehicle to 300mph, and a Falcon rocket, which boosts speeds to 1000mph or more. Centrally mounted in the car is an 800hp auxiliary F1 engine that provides power to the hydraulics, starting of the jet engine and feeds High Test Peroxide through to the Falcon rocket. Combined, these engines provide an impressive 135,000hp and give a 0-1,000mph time of just 42 seconds.

Parker is working with the Bloodhound engineering team to develop a series of test rigs, which will provide critical test data for the subsequent evolution of hydraulically powered air brakes and control of winglets situated over the front wheels to maintain aerodynamic stability. In addition, the company will be supplying dedicated hydraulic power packs and specialised ground support systems for use during the test and world record attempts, which will be carried out in 2012 at the Haskeen Pan in the Northern Cape, South Africa.

Mark Cattermole, Product Manager – Industrial systems for Parker Hannifin, commented, “We are delighted to be involved in this ground breaking project and be part of the team that will see Bloodhound’s goals come to fruition. It is great to watch our leading edge technology delivering the power to drive innovation in one of industry’s most fast paced sectors. Another key element is the enthusiasm and inspiration that this project is sparking in the next generation of engineers, something we are always keen to support.”

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Caterham opens exciting new chapter in its history

Alan — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 12:11:44 +0000

British sportscar maker unveils its first sports prototype racer
Design input from Lola and state-of-the-art Ford power
Supercharged Ford Duratec power to generate 0-60mph in around 2.5 seconds

Think of track days and chances are one of the first names on your wish-list will be Caterham, with their ultra-lightweight cars, such as the Seven, that deliver thrills most ‘super’ cars can only dream of.

It may surprise you that the company is over 50 years old, having started life in a workshop behind a filling station. To celebrate, Caterham launched an all-new racer, the SP/300.R, at Autosport International, developed jointly with another national motoring legend Lola, which will have its own series as well as being available for track days.

Powering the car will be Caterham’s all-new tweaked version of Ford’s Duratec engine. Three hundred horses will be very afraid!

Caterham is in the final stages of development of the powertrain and handling characteristics of the car, in readiness for a one-make championship to start in 2012, while the feasibility of a road-legal version of the car is also being considered.

Only 25 SP/300.Rs will be manufactured each year, allowing Caterham to focus on enhancing the build quality of every vehicle and maximising its renowned one-to-one customer service.

The car will provide the ‘top end’ natural progression for Caterham’s already successful domestic and international racing ‘ladder’. It will also provide the blossoming premium trackday community – both home and abroad – with a potent new model.

Bearing subtle design cues from the Seven, the first new model from Caterham since the 21 road car reproduces the Company’s core motorsport values of affordability, reliability and accessibility.

With Lola, as technical design consultant, leading the aerodynamic styling and downforce development in collaboration with Caterham’s design direction, the Seven’s engineers have been responsible for developing the power plant, braking system and making sure the two-seater’s renowned ride and handling characteristics are firmly transferred into the SP/300.R.

While the global expansion of the Seven’s motor racing activity will continue unabated, the SP/300.R will allow Caterham’s loyal clientele to move further up the performance racing ‘ladder’ without having to leave the proven expertise and ‘value for money’ of the Company’s motorsport infrastructure.

“Motorsport is not only part of the history of Caterham, it’s been the lifeblood running through the character of our vehicles – race cars for the road,” explains Ansar Ali, managing director of Caterham Cars. “Today, racing is not only the heartbeat of the business, it’s an intrinsic part of our fabric both here and abroad and the SP/300.R represents the next logical step in the development of our product offering.”

Drivetrain

The beating heart of the SP/300.R will be a Caterham-tuned, supercharged version of Ford’s 2.0L Duratec unit, which will produce 300bhp.

The Company’s long-standing relationship with Ford continues to allow Caterham’s engineers unparalleled technical access to the Ford range of engines. Today, Ford products power the entire range of Caterham cars, from the entry-level Roadsport through the entire Superlight collection.

Caterham’s engineers have chosen the supercharged Duratec with its drivers in mind. As with all Caterham products, the driving experience is at the core of the SP/300.R’s design.

The supercharged induction module has therefore been chosen for its linear torque delivery across the entire engine speed range, which is perfectly-matched to the lightweight architecture of the car.

The Duratec unit is well-known to Caterham’s engineers and already boasts a proven track record as a resilient engine that is cost-effective for customers to run, while other offerings feature a more ‘all or nothing’ character and require further refinement before Caterham will consider using them.

Caterham has worked alongside partners such as Pectel to deliver a highly-developed package that will reward drivers with advanced data logging and features such as ‘push to pass’ power enhancement and an integrated semi-automatic gearshift control.

The SP/300.R will be capable of being adapted to suit alternative engines but the factory-fit engine will offer unrivalled levels of reliability – together with a perfectly-matched Hewland semi-automatic FTR transmission, Caterham aims to reproduce the enormously-durable drivetrain solution that has been so successful in the Superlight R300 series, where engine rebuilds are virtually unnecessary.

Chassis

The rich racing heritage of the Caterham Seven and Caterham’s motorsport expertise will ensure the success of the Company’s expansion into sports prototype racing.

However to achieve that end, Caterham has teamed up with the world’s leading manufacturer of customer race cars, Lola Cars. Its expertise, particularly in the sports racing category, was invaluable in the creation and styling of a bespoke chassis that forms the basis of the SP/300.R.

With the styling aerodynamically, rather than aesthetically led, the SP/300.R has been designed using Lola’s state-of-the-art CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) technology, with input and critique from Caterham.

The basic chassis is an aluminium tub with a longitudinally mid-mounted engine, coupled to a stress-bearing rear transaxle. A forward splitter and large rear wing reduce lift, while a flat underbody maximises ground effect benefits.

A broad aero platform generates optimal downforce and balance, while the aerodynamic performance is fine-tuned by ducts and dive-planes. The SP/300.R bodywork also features an F1-style raised nose section and sectioned panels, which will help reduce repair costs, ease maintenance and, importantly, allow single-handed removal of body panels track-side.

Caterham’s research suggests that most sports prototypes in today’s market require more than one person to assist in the removal of body panels, e.g. oil check, set-up, etc; the SP/300.R will be the only sports prototype that offers this unique, flexible and yet convenient feature.

The car also takes subtle design cues from the instantly-recognisable Caterham Seven; for instance, the Seven’s grille shape appears beneath the raised nose of the SP/300.R.

Performance

The pairing of Lola’s world-beating aerodynamic package with the Ford engine will produce a car that will easily meet the desires of Caterham customers, whether they are seeking their first serious step into sports prototype racing or the ultimate trackday machine.

The supercharged Duratec’s 300bhp will propel the sub-600kg car from 0-60mph in around 2.5 seconds, translating into 500bhp-per-tonne, excluding the driver.

The gearing of the car has been selected to reach maximum rpm in top gear at the end of Spa-Francorchamps circuit’s Kemmel Straight, chosen as it is one of the more frequently-visited race and trackday venues. Top speed will be around 170mph.

Suspension

The SP/300.R will benefit from full race suspension – front and rear dual wishbones with pushrod dampers, adjustable ride height and bespoke wheels and tyres will all make for a race car of exquisite balance and stability.

The rear suspension architecture is derived from that used at the rear end of the Lola Formula 3 and World Junior cars – coupled with the high downforce generated by the aerodynamic package, this will be a direct and rewarding race car to drive.

Wheels & Tyres

Thanks to Caterham’s long-standing partner, Cooper Avon Tyres, the SP/300.R will stand on bespoke rubber developed specially by Cooper Tire for this car.

Cooper Tire provides tyres for the British Formula 3 International Series, acknowledged as the toughest domestic single-seater championship in the world and a recognised ‘stepping stone’ to Formula 1. The SP/300.R’s tyres are fitted to 13-inch race rims.

Measuring a muscular 250mm wide at the rear, and 180mm at the front, the tyres have been specifically designed to cope with vast engine torque married to a lightweight chassis.

Safety

Naturally, the SP/300.R has been built to comply with MSA safety regulations. The main component of the safety system is a roll cage, which has been designed specifically for the car and incorporated into the styling schemes.

The chassis has also been designed as a race chassis with the requisite crash structures. Other components include the six-point harness, fire extinguisher, cut-off switch and so on.

Components

In keeping with the SP/300.R’s stature as a premium race product, Caterham has selected fixings and fittings of a very high quality.

These include the steering wheel, which incorporates data display (Stack/MOMO), wheels (ATS, Speedline or OZ), brakes (AP Racing) and driver’s harness (Schroth).

One-make championship

With Caterham’s vastly rich heritage in motorsport – both domestically and internationally – it is no surprise to find that Caterham Motorsport is planning a prestigious one-make series in which the SP/300.R will star.

The details of its own championship are yet to be finalised, but the SP/300.R series will initially focus on UK circuits, with the potential addition of one round abroad.

However, the projected success of the cornerstone debut season is expected to make the SP/300.R and its race series eminently marketable further afield in Europe, which will provide a major boost to Caterham’s already thriving export market.

Caterham Motorsport

Caterham has proven over the last 25 years that it is expert in producing and managing world-class motor racing championships and events.

The Company’s motorsport ‘ladder’ provides a cost-effective, easy-to-run solution for drivers of any ability to get into racing, from complete novices with the Academy series to the Superlight R300 for seasoned semi-professionals.

The Caterham Academy, which takes novice non-racers through the process of getting their race licence to enjoying their first season of competitive action, has become one of the UK domestic scene’s lynch pins, creating around 750 brand new racing drivers since its inception in 1995.

It is the proven organisational expertise and infrastructure that will run the new one-make championship for the SP/300.R, starting in 2012.

The Caterham-Lola SP/300.R is priced at £60,000, excluding local taxes.

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Autosport International 2011

Alan — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 12:05:07 +0000

Motorsport once again demonstrated its enormous global appeal over the last four days, as the NEC played host to the 21st Autosport International, the world’s biggest motorsport show.

The show attracted motoring legends such as Porsche and Chevron Racing, household names such as Skoda, and the Brit pack including Lotus (with a bit of help from Renault) and Ginetta.

Racing cars wouldn’t go very far without drivers. Martin Brundle, Anthony Davidson, Jake Humphrey and Gary Paffett drove crowds wild on the Autosport Stage. Other highlights included the latest F1 cars and historic cars. .

“It’s great to be here!” said Humphrey. “The show has given fans the chance to be really close to the action. At Autosport International you can be just two feet away from a contemporary F1 car, and even meet race drivers and legends of the sport. It’s an amazing day out for the fans and their families.” Davidson added: “I was really looking forward to coming to Autosport International today! It’s great to talk to all the fans and update them on my racing plans for the year.”

Show visitors also witnessed the unveiling of the 2011 Lotus Renault GP car livery this weekend. British sports car company Ginetta attracted great interest at its stand with the launch of the G55, generating many strong leads throughout the four days. High-end manufacturer Porsche showed its GT3-R Hybrid and Škoda UK Motorsport revealed its incredible 2011 Fabia S2000 for the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Meanwhile, Chevron Racing Cars launched its Chevron GR8 GT, which attracted new and existing customers to the stand from as far afield as Japan and Brazil. “Last year we sold five cars during the show and this year there has been even more sales,” said Helen Bashford-Malkie, Managing Director at Chevron Racing Cars. “We sold the first car within one hour of the show opening on Thursday, so we are very happy with our attendance in Autosport International.”

Hosted by Fifth Gear TV stars Jason Plato and Tiff Needell, fans had the chance to enjoy adrenaline-pumping action and stunts at the Fifth Gear Live Action Arena during the weekend. The show featured cars from the European Drift Championship, autograss racers, rally cars, BriSCA F1 Stock Cars and fan-favourite Terry Grant, who thrilled show goers with amazing stunts.

Autosport International Show Director Ian France said: “The four days of the show have been extremely successful. With high-class exhibitors and fantastic displays we have received some very positive feedback and it’s always great to see the smiles on racing fans’ faces. Plans for 2012 are already underway, and much more of the same can be expected.”

Autosport International 2012 will take place on 12-15 January 2012 at the NEC in Birmingham. For more information visit www.autosportinternational.com.

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Anyone can get behind the wheel of a supercar

Alan — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 05:29:50 +0000

Getting behind the wheel of a super powerful, super fast, perfectly tuned and utterly gorgeous automobile and being in control of all that magnificence at 160 mph or more is a recurring dream for an unknown but probably huge number of men (and women).

If someone you know and love harbours that dream, here’s a brilliant idea: give him (or her) the experience as a gift.

In the U.K. there is no lack of tracks and schools where such dream-fulfilment can take place. The possibilities are amazing; some offer a real racing experience where drivers compete with professionals, some specialize in just going very very fast, some offer classic sports cars to drive through the countryside. On the track or the open road, this is a rush that is hard to beat.

All of the reputable organizations will have a professional instructor in the passenger seat, and it makes sense that their main concern is to keep driver, passenger and vehicle in one piece and preferably unscratched. However, the instructor is usually a racecar driver and an expert who wants their protégée to have maximum fun, so heeding his or her advice will only enhance the enjoyment.

If the gift recipient has a particular dream car in mind, such as the Aston Martin DB9 or maybe a Ferrari 360 or a Lamborghini Gallardo, they are all out there, just waiting to give an adventurous driver the thrill of a lifetime.

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Lewis Hamilton previews the Spanish Grand Prix

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 14:58:04 +0000

Lewis Hamilton gives an exclusive behind the scenes preview of this weekend’s Formula One Spanish Grand Prix.

After his best performance of the season at the Chinese Grand Prix, the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes star speaks about his second place finish in Shanghai.

He also gives his thoughts on the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix, including why qualification will be so important, what he thinks of the Barcelona track, and how confident he is of securing his first win of the season.

Added to that, Lewis will be giving the Inside Track on the relaunch of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 Player.

The player will be constantly updated with the latest Formula 1 related content, including Lewis and Jenson’s exclusive insights into their previous and forthcoming races.

Regular and continuously updated news feeds will enable fans to see all the latest headlines, both about Formula 1 and the Vodafone McLaren Team, including standings, latest results, race calendars and circuit information.

Users also have the opportunity to vote for their favourite content idea each fortnight on a dedicated facebook page which will be released exclusively through the player, with the first round of voting commencing this Friday.

In addition, there are a number of mobile apps available for download, including exclusive news and behind the scene interviews with Lewis, Jenson and their pit crews, daily team news, Formula 1 news, real time race information, live telemetry, results, championship standings and new videos added throughout the season.

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Jenson Button previews the Chinese Grand Prix

admin — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 07:55:05 +0000

Jenson Button, the reigning Formula 1 World Champion, takes time out from his busy training schedule to speak about his performance in Malaysia and that of his team. He also gives his thoughts on the course for this weekend in Shanghai, and how he hopes to improve even further on his podium finish at last year’s Grand Prix.

Get behind the wheel with McLaren’s Jenson as he gives the ‘Inside Track’ ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.

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New book from Speedway legend Barry Briggs – Wembley and Beyond

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:27:31 +0000

Legendary motorcycle speedway racer Barry Briggs MBE is in the UK to promote his recently launched book ‘Wembley and Beyond’, a revealing story of the life and times of speedway’s most colourful superstar. With six successive British speedway titles and four World titles with his last individual Championship coming in 1966, Briggs is one of the most successful speedway riders in history, but it is his life beyond the race track which is the focus of his latest book and tells a story of adventure, courage and heartache. ‘Wembley and Beyond’ is not just the memoirs of a legendary speedway rider but also of a remarkable man.

From diamond mining in Africa, to looking down the barrel of an AK-47, Barry Briggs has experienced remarkable adventures that have often eclipsed his daring exploits on the race track. These adventures have earned and lost him $43 million in 24 hours, a son that faced paralysis, and the agonising experience of a wife dying of cancer.

Barry’s life has crossed paths with legends of entertainment, Evel Knievel, and Steve McQueen who he taught to slide a motorbike and a special relationship with Bernie Ecclestone and the tail of how Barry almost became a promoter of an F1 event in Las Vegas.

As twice runner up for the coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year award Barry has been at the forefront of the British sporting landscape and was awarded an MBE for his services to motorsport in 1973.

Barry Briggs said, “Speedway has given me an incredible life and writing this book has been an enriching experience and given me the chance to put down the memoires of my life, including my amazing adventures above and beyond speedway. Through my experiences of a son facing paralysis and my wife’s battle with cancer I hope that by sharing these personal events I can help others struggling to cope with these circumstances.”

‘Wembley and Beyond’ is available for purchase now from Amazon.co.uk.

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The Milano-Senremo Cup 2010 at Monza

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:47:31 +0000

The Milano-Senremo Cup will be taking place for the eighth time from Friday March 12th to Sunday 14th March 2010.

This historic three-day spectacle invites people to register their vehicles and show them off to visitors and fellow drivers before battling it out to lift the trophy at the end. On the first day of the event, the cars are checked at the world famous Autodromo Nazionale di Monza racetrack before taking part in a parade to Piazza del Duomo where they go on display before the race itself.

The action then kicks off the next day when the motors depart from Milan bright and early at 08:00 local time. The cars make their way towards Pavese and Lomellina before travelling through Imperia and arriving at their destination of Sanremo when the sun sets.

The racetrack at Monza was created in 1922 and is about a half hour drive from Milan.

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Mercedes Benz SLS AMG doing tricks

admin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:39:49 +0000

With its unique gullwing doors, the SLS AMG is a true icon of automotive design.

The exciting interplay between concave and convex surfaces, combined with understated features such as retractable rear spoiler, create an unforgettable visual impact. Classic sportscar proportions – the lengthy bonnet, wide track and short overhangs – heighten the car’s dynamism and power.

The characteristic curved design of the opened gullwing doors extends to other parts of the car – the side mirrors, tail lights, the 3-spoke steering wheel, and the flow of the contrasting top-stitching from the centre console to the instrument panel.

The interior of the gullwing model offers the same level of sports styling as the exterior, with design elements from the worlds of aviation and motorsport apparent throughout.

This Mercedes-Benz must be on the wish list for every fast driving car enthusiast. The sound from the engine makes you really want to drive this fast racing car. Check out this video.

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