best cars

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Wallpaper: Audi R18 TDI at Petit Le Mans

By Tarek Ramchani

Last year Audi Sport Team Joest entered a pair of R18 TDI cars. Here is a great wallpaper from our friend Laurent Chauveau from the French based 86400.fr sportscar website. The R18 is on track at Road Atlanta, the last time Audi was seen at Petit to date, and hopefully they will be back in future.

More information:
86400.fr website
86400.fr on Facebook

The 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Super Trofeo!

In 2009 the Raging Bull marque launched the Super Trofeo, a spec racing series similar to the Porsche Supercup or Ferrari Challenge - only faster. The series uses racing versions of the Gallardo, and Lamborghini has just released the latest version. The new Gallardo LP570-4 Super Trofeo follows the new LP560-4 coupe (revealed in Paris) and the Spyder (released just days ago) as the third new variant based on the recently revised model. Unveiled at the Navarra circuit where this year's series wrapped up, the new Super Trofeo racer is 120% more aerodynamically efficient than the model it replaces and offers 50% better brake cooling.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Joint future for DTM and Japanese Super GT from 2014

DTM Press Release

From 2014, DTM will be heading in a new direction. Thanks to a cooperation deal signed this Tuesday in Tokyo, the most popular international touring-car series is not only open for the Japanese car manufacturers but at the same time, the three premium-car manufacturers involved in DTM, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, also will have the opportunity to compete in the Japanese Super GT. The agreement regarding the use of the ‘New DTM’ regulations by Japan’s Super GT begins in 2014 and runs – for the time being – for four years.

“This is a very special day for all those involved but in addition, it also has got outstanding significance for the entire motor racing world. This unique cooperation was made possible by the right parties getting involved at the perfect point in time,” said Hans Werner Aufrecht, Chairman of DTM rights holder and promoter ITR e.V., on the occasion of the signing of the contract with the Japanese Series organiser, GT Association (GTA), in Tokyo.

“This cooperation of GTA and ITR based on the new technical regulations is a dream come true. We believe that this milestone in motor-racing history will not only help to reduce the costs dramatically but at the same time, it also should help improving safety and creating spectacular racing with equal chances for the manufacturers and teams, thus entertaining the millions of fans all over the world.”

“The GTA, ITR and the manufacturers involved are entering virgin soil,” said Audi Motorsport Director Dr Wolfgang Ulrich who represented the DTM manufacturers, in Tokyo. The Super GT in Japan and DTM have got many common ideas – a fact that became evident in the intense discussions we had in recent years. Now, these organisations are going to cooperate on the basis of shared technical regulations. A move that will guarantee maximum safety, spectacular sport and cost-efficient motor racing.”

“The technical regulations of DTM are trend-setting in many ways,” added Christian Schacht, Secretary General of the German Motor Sport Association (DMSB). “Key facts such as the fascinating cars, the high safety standards and the cost efficiency, too, represented the top priorities in the discussions with the Japanese Motor Sport Federation.”

Massaki Banndoh, Chairman of the GTA, also was delighted: “We believe that this agreement will contribute greatly to the development of both the SUPER GT and DTM race series. We also think that deepening the relationship between DTM in Europe and SUPER GT in Asia toward the future may lead to new developments – such as organizing exchange races for both series – that have got what it takes to bring new excitement and pleasure to the fans around the world.

The agreement was created in close cooperation of the German Motor Sport Association (DMSB) and the Japanese Automobile Association (JAF). Thanks to the same technical basis, the DTM manufacturers, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, will be able to race against Toyota, Nissan and Honda in the Japanese Super GT, from 2014. Und at the same time, the Japanese manufacturers will have the opportunity to compete in DTM.

To make for equal opportunities for the DTM and Super GT cars that currently are racing with differing engine concepts, the cars will be categorised according to a system called ‘Balance of Performance’ (BOP) for a transitional period.

At the same time, the beginning of this partnership also means an intensification of the successful collaboration of the manufacturers involved – Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz as well as Toyota, Nissan and Honda – the two series organisers, ITR e.V. and GTA, and the associations DMSB and JAF. In the future, joint technical working groups and circles will hold meetings to create the basis for a continuous exchange of information.

Photo credit: ITR/DTM and GTA/Super GT

BTCC: Rob Austin Racing signs Wix Filters for Brands

Rob Austin Racing Press Release

Rob Austin Racing will become “Wixracing.co.uk” for the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship’s final Round at Brands Hatch this weekend. Wix Filters have come on board to support Rob Austin’s final assault on the BTCC for 2012. The automotive filter manufacturer is currently involved in NASCAR and now they have joined the UK’s premier motor racing championship.

Retaining a similar bold colour scheme to the Wix Racing NASCAR it will be hard to miss the car at Brands
Hatch this weekend. With driver and team determined to put on a show spirits are high. Team boss and driver Rob Austin comments: “I’m over the moon with this deal and the car looks amazing! Absolute Control Ltd have done a fantastic job with the vinyl and Wix have a great colour scheme so whatever we do this weekend we will look good doing it! Although currently this is only a one-off deal it is still the start of what I hope to be a long term relationship with Wix Filters. We are already using their products on the Audis and we are pleased to be working alongside them to increase their presence in the UK”

Commenting further Austin added, “Since the Snetterton round we have made great progress, there have
been personnel changes and a change in the engine department with the association with Field Motorsport
which is really bearing fruit. All the pieces of the puzzle are coming together and this is proven by the Audi
being among the quickest cars on the track over the last two rounds. Hopefully we can put it all together and
get on the podium for Wix Filters and position ourselves well for a winning season in 2013.”

Rob Austin Engineering Ltd
T/A Rob Austin Racing
Unit19B Pershore Trading Estate,
Pershore,
Worcestershire.
WR10 2DD
01386 555 865

Monday, October 15, 2012

Audi occupies two podium places in Japan

Audi Press Release

Le Mans winners extend their lead of the standings at Fuji
Sporting penalty thwarts battle for victory
Title decision postponed to finale in China

Ingolstadt/Fuji, October 14, 2012 - Two podium places in the Far East: Audi had to settle for positions two and three at the seventh round of the FIA World Championship (WEC). A sporting penalty deprived the number "1" Audi R18 e-tron quattro of all chances for victory at Fuji.

Up to the six-hour race’s mid-point, Audi was fighting a thrilling battle for victory with Toyota. At the beginning of the race, André Lotterer in the number "1" R18 e-tron quattro constantly remained within striking distance of Toyota driver Alexander Wurz. Benoît Tréluyer, who took over driving duties of the hybrid prototype from Lotterer, continued the chase and took the lead after a thrilling duel. However, shortly after the race’s mid-point, a GT vehicle collided with the Audi in a lapping maneuver. Due to the resulting damage, a pit stop was made to change the front hood. This cost a further 24 seconds in addition to the regular duration of the pit stop. When the race directors decided that the Audi was to blame for the accident and issued a stop-and-go penalty, car number "1" dropped to third place. André Lotterer drove good lap times and recovered to second place in the penultimate hour of the race. Only 11.2 seconds separated him from the winning Toyota in the end. With this result, the three Le Mans winners Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer extended their lead of the standings by three to 16.5 points.

At this point in time, Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen were struggling with the handling of their number "2" Audi R18 e-tron quattro. The reason was that in the fourth hour of the race, a LMP2 prototype had hit Audi’s prototype, damaging various small aerodynamic components at the front of the R18 in the incident. The team, however, decided not to change the hood, as this would have cost more valuable time. Consequently, the Anglo-Danish duo ultimately took third place.

Although Audi, despite a good race performance, was deprived by the sporting penalty of any chance of taking its sixth victory of the season, the entire squad can look forward to the finale at Shanghai two weeks from now. After the early win of the manufacturers’ world championship* by Audi in August, the title in the drivers’ championship will be awarded at the finale. Irrespective of whether the decision will be in favor of Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer or Kristensen/McNish - Audi will win this classification in the inaugural season of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) as well.

* Subject to the official publication of the results by the FIA

Quotes after the race

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): "We delivered a very good race today. If you’re just eleven seconds behind, although a repair and a stop-and-go-penalty made car number ‘1’ lose ground, this shows how good the performance basically was. We battled for victory and it would have been possible to achieve it, but unfortunately not everything came together today. Toyota was very strong here and won the home race. Congratulations on that!"

Ralf Jüttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest): "The large number of spectators in Japan experienced a nice six-hour race with a really close outcome. Congratulations to Toyota on winning their home race. We were exactly on course with our strategy and the fuel consumption of our car is known to be very favorable. Unfortunately, Benoît Tréluyer on lapping a GT vehicle became entangled in an accident. The repair of the front hood and the harsh drive-through-penalty cost us time. In all fairness, we’ve got to admit that the subsequent yellow period was advantageous for us on the other hand. A big compliment goes to our squad. Part of the team spent the night at the track due to a repair and still showed a top performance on race day."

Marcel Fässler (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): "We could have achieved victory today. But it’s always possible for incidents to happen in the race. I think the drive-through-penalty was a bit harsh. The race was very thrilling. I only drove once because we changed our strategy toward the end. That way, André was able to drive a double stint on one set of tires and we didn’t have to change tires again."

André Lotterer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): "We drove a great race and no doubt had the potential to win. The team and all the mechanics did a top-notch job. Unfortunately, we lost ground due to the penalty - that was bitter. But you can’t always win in motorsport, even though I’d have been particularly happy to have done so in Japan, my second home. Now we’ve got to settle for second place. Two weeks from now, in China, we want to win the title."

Benoît Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): "In the end, our day wasn’t so bad, even though our aim had been to win the race in front of Toyota. We had to attack straight from the start and take certain risks. Unfortunately, I had a collision with an opponent in traffic. It’s disappointing to lose by just a narrow margin of eleven seconds. But in the World Championship we’re running in front and have extended our lead."

Tom Kristensen (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): "This was a disappointing day for number ‘2’ because our car felt really good in longer distances before the race. We’d have liked to be in contention for victory but the rubber on our tires that we picked up from the track cost us a lot of time. Unfortunately, Allan was involved in an accident - in which the front hood of our car was damaged. Towards the end, I was struggling with a lot of oversteer. It’s been a difficult day. We’re hoping for a nice finale in China."

Allan McNish (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): "It was a very difficult race. I had a good start and a good initial phase. After André Lotterer overtook me, my car started picking up rubber from the track. This caused heavy vibrations. Tom had the same problem. We continued to battle but were not consistently quick enough. In the end, third place was the maximum. With a view towards the championship, the result is disappointing. We’re now facing a very difficult challenge at Shanghai. The aim can only be to win the race."

Race results

1 Wurz/Lapierre/Nakajima (Toyota) 233 laps
2 Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) + 11.223s
3 Kristensen/McNish (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) + 1m 32.565s
4 Prost/Jani (Lola-Toyota) - 6 laps
5 Brabham/Chandhok/Dumbreck (HPD-Honda) - 7 laps
6 Leventis/Watts/Kane (HPD-Honda) - 7 laps
7 Belicchi/Primat (Lola-Toyota) - 8 laps
8 Martin/Graves/Nakano (Oreca-Nissan) - 13 laps
9 Potolicchio/Dalziel/Sarrazin (HPD-Honda) - 14 laps
10 Lahaye/Nicolet/Pla (Morgan-Nissan) - 14 laps

Video: 360° view Audi R8 LMS ultra vs Audi R8 GRAND-AM

By Johan Laubscher

The R16 codename was given to the homologation of the Audi race cars based on the Audi R8 road car. The first R16 was the Audi R8 LMS which debuted in 2009. For 2012 Audi launched the second and third versions of this homolgation, the Audi R8 LMS ultra (GT3 specification) and the Audi R8 GRAND-AM (Grand-AM GT class specification). Here are two short videos showing official renders of both 2012 cars as they turn through 360°.

Audi R8 LMS ultra

Audi R8 GRAND-AM

Friday, October 12, 2012

Lamborghini Accessories from LNB.

We have a full boutique in our showroom that has literally almost anything you could imagine that's made by Lamborghini. Here is a rough list of what we have to offer in the boutique.